East Niles CSD

Understanding Your Water Supply

Municipal water sources include rivers, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials. It can also pick up substances from animal presence or human activities.

Potential Contaminants in Water Sources:

• MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS: Viruses and bacteria from sewage facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife.
• INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS: Salts and metals occurring naturally or resulting from urban runoff, wastewater discharge, oil/gas production, mining, or farming.
• ORGANIC CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS: Synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
• PESTICIDES/HERBICIDES: From various sources including agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential usage.
• RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINANTS: Naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production activities.

Water Hardness Classification
Water is classified as soft when total hardness measures below 75 ppm; moderately hard at 75-150 ppm; hard at 150-300 ppm; and very hard at 300+ ppm. To convert hardness from ppm to grains per gallon, divide by 17.1.

Lead Safety Information
Elevated lead levels can cause serious health concerns, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead primarily enters water through service line materials and household plumbing components. East Niles Community Services District provides high-quality water but cannot control plumbing material selection. If water has been sitting for several hours, minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for consumption or cooking. For concerns about lead, consider water testing. More information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.EPA.gov/safe water/lead.

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