Frankfort

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors all public water supplies (PWS) to ensure safe municipal water for residents. The EPA requires adequate water infrastructure, certified staff, and rigorous testing protocols. Water samples must be submitted monthly, and EPA inspectors regularly conduct on-site facility evaluations.

The Village of Frankfort is a fully compliant PWS dedicated to exceeding EPA requirements. In 2017, Frankfort provided over 1.269 billion gallons of water to more than 24,000 residents within village limits and surrounding unincorporated areas. The utility operates solely on water rates, tap fees, and capacity expansion charges without tax dollar subsidies.

Frankfort's water system includes ten wells that extract groundwater through treatment facilities before distribution. Six elevated storage tanks provide 5.3 million gallons of capacity for consistent pressure and fire protection. Water treatment involves chlorine disinfection to eliminate harmful bacteria, fluoride addition for dental health benefits, and filtration with phosphate treatment to remove naturally occurring iron from groundwater.

The Village's operations team surpasses EPA certification requirements. Illinois EPA certifications range from entry-level Class D to the highest Class A designation. While Frankfort requires Class B certification to operate, their dedicated staff includes five Class C, one Class B, and three Class A operators with a combined 80+ years of experience. This expertise enables the utility to meet increasing community demands and EPA requirements with minimal disruptions.

1. Who should I call for water emergencies?
   For after-hours or holiday emergencies, please call 830-372-1031 and leave a detailed message with your name, address, and contact number so we can return your call.
2. How could my water usage be so high?
   There could be several explanations: meter readings may have been misread or transposed, or you might have an undetected leaky toilet or faucet. Please verify your meter reading if you suspect an error, then contact our office so we can help resolve the issue.
3. What should I do if experiencing low water pressure?
   First, check your meter and surrounding area for possible leaks. Then call our office to report the pressure issue in your location. We recommend registering for alerts on our website and ensuring we have your current contact information, including phone numbers and email, so we can notify you of planned water outages.
4. Why is my water discolored?
   Recent repairs might have allowed air to enter the water line, causing a milky appearance.
5. What chemicals are added to our municipal water?
   We only use chemicals approved by the National Safety Foundation specifically for drinking water treatment.
6. My water tastes, looks, or smells unusual. Is it safe?
   All public water systems must maintain minimum chlorine levels of 0.2 mg/L (measured at line endpoints) by state law. Systems using chloramine must maintain 0.5 mg/L levels. Our disinfectant levels are tested daily to ensure safety.
7. Why does debris come out when running hot water?
   Your water heater likely needs flushing. CAUTION: Most manufacturers recommend hiring a professional for this service. If attempting it yourself, carefully read the owner's manual to avoid injury or damaging the unit.
8. Why do I have a previous balance when I sent my payment?
   We may have received your payment after the due date or possibly not received it at all. Contact our office for assistance resolving this issue.
9. What's the hardness level of our water?
   267 mg/L or 16 grains/gallon on a water softener scale.