Edwardsville

Is your water safe? We're pleased to present this year's Annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) as required by the Safe Municipal Water Act (SMWA). This report provides information about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies.

This report offers a snapshot of last year's water quality. We remain committed to providing transparent information because informed customers are our greatest allies.

Should I take special precautions?
Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems - including those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, individuals with HIV/AIDS, certain elderly persons, and infants - may face higher infection risks. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their municipal water consumption. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing Cryptosporidium and microbial contamination risks are available through the Safe Water Drinking Hotline (800-426-4791).

Where does my water come from?
Our treatment facility is located outside Edwardsville city limits. We draw water from two well fields tapping the American Bottoms Subway Aquifer. Our system includes nine wells with an average depth of 114 feet. The water undergoes filtration, softening, and disinfection before being pumped to residents and bulk customers through our distribution network.

System pressure is maintained by two elevated storage tanks and two ground-level reservoirs. The metal elevated tanks hold 2,125,000 gallons combined, while our treatment plant has two ground-level basins with 990,000 gallons total capacity.

Source water assessment information
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Source Water Assessment Plan (SWAP) is available at our offices. This assessment evaluates the area around our water sources where contaminants could potentially migrate into our supply. It includes potential contamination sources and a vulnerability rating. Our water system has a "medium" susceptibility rating. To review the Source Water Assessment Plan, please visit our office during regular business hours.

Why are there contaminants in my tap water?
All drinking water, including bottled water, naturally contains trace amounts of some substances. These don't necessarily indicate health risks. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Water sources (tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal or human activity including:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage treatment, septic systems, agriculture, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals from natural sources, urban runoff, wastewater, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from energy production and mining

To ensure tap water safety, EPA regulations limit certain contaminants in public water systems. FDA regulations establish similar limits for bottled water to provide equal public health protection.

1. Can Edwardsville supply water during power outages? Yes. Water stored in elevated tanks flows by gravity without requiring electricity. For extended outages, Edwardsville maintains backup generators capable of pumping sufficient water for emergency supply. The city also has interconnections with neighboring systems that can be activated during emergencies.
2. Is my water safe to drink? Yes. Edwardsville's water meets all Environmental Protection Agency health and aesthetic standards for safe municipal water.
3. Is Edwardsville water hard? Edwardsville water is classified as very hard with 15-17 grains per gallon. This hardness primarily comes from calcium and magnesium present in the limestone/dolomite rock formations where our aquifers are located.
4. Is fluoride added to my water? Yes. Our groundwater naturally contains some fluoride, and we add additional fluoride to meet Illinois Department of Health requirements for optimal dental health.
5. Should I purchase bottled water? Consider that U.S. bottled water undergoes less regulation than municipal supplies, yet costs up to 1,000 times more than Edwardsville tap water.
6. Should I install a home water filter? This is a personal preference. Filters aren't required for Edwardsville water to meet safety standards. If you dislike the taste, a filter may help by removing chlorine (added to kill harmful bacteria) and fluoride ions (added for dental health).
7. Should I install a water softener? Edwardsville's very hard water can cause scale buildup on fixtures and spotting on dishes. A softener may help reduce these issues, improve soap lathering, and require less detergent for dishes and laundry.
8. What are the typical water pressure levels? Pressure typically ranges from 55 psi (low areas) to 70 psi (high areas), averaging around 65 psi.
9. What is the average pH level of city water? Our water maintains a neutral pH of approximately 7.0.
10. What are the iron and hardness levels? Iron content measures 0.4-0.6 parts per million. Hardness ranges from 15-17 grains per gallon.
11. What causes white scale on fixtures and appliances? This results from calcium and magnesium mineral deposits building up over time. These minerals constitute most of your water's hardness. Though unsightly, hard water isn't harmful to health.
12. Where does Edwardsville's water come from? We pump groundwater from eight deep wells ranging from 320-350 feet deep. Our water comes from the Ironton-Galesville aquifer. The system can pump over 10.5 million gallons daily if needed.
13. Why does the city store water in elevated towers? Water towers serve multiple purposes: providing emergency reserves for firefighting, maintaining consistent water pressure through gravity, and allowing more efficient pumping operations. The weight of water in elevated tanks creates system pressure - the higher the water column, the greater the pressure. Our three storage facilities hold 4 million gallons total, allowing wells to pump at night when demand is low, storing water for peak morning usage and weekend demand.