Franklin Park

This is our twentieth annual water quality report covering January 1st through December 31st, 2017. Each year, we publish this information to keep residents informed about their water quality, sources, treatment methods, and composition.

These reports comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act and demonstrate our commitment to providing safe, reliable water. Since the 1950s, Franklin Park has purchased Lake Michigan water directly from Chicago, which we then pump into our distribution system.

Water Quality Management:
Chicago's treatment facilities control the water quality supplied to our Village. Franklin Park adds supplemental chlorine to maintain quality standards throughout delivery.

Water Testing Program:
The Village conducts monthly bacteriological sampling, lead/copper testing (as required), quarterly Halocetic Acid and Trihalomethane testing, plus regular water quality monitoring. Questions about this report or our water system can be directed to Joe Gloria, Utilities Commissioner at 847/671-8252. Spanish speakers may contact Peter Cajigas at the same number.

Public questions are also welcome at our Village Board meetings, held at 7:00 p.m. on the first and third Monday monthly at 9451 Belmont Avenue.

Contamination Vulnerability:
The Illinois EPA considers all surface water sources for community water to be potentially vulnerable to contamination. Surface water allows pollutants to migrate into intakes without natural filtration, requiring mandatory treatment for all Illinois surface water supplies.

Chicago's offshore intakes are generally positioned far enough from the shoreline to minimize immediate contamination concerns. However, during wet weather or river reversals, contamination potential increases. The intake structures may also attract waterfowl that concentrate waste deposits near the water source. Shoreline intakes remain highly susceptible to stormwater runoff, marina activity, and other potential contaminants.

Water Source Information:
Municipal water (both tap and bottled) comes from rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it can collect substances from human activities or animal presence. Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants: viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants: salts and metals occurring naturally or from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, farming, or mining
• Pesticides and herbicides: from agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants: synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants: naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

All drinking water, including bottled water, can reasonably be expected to contain at least trace amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants, contact the USEPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800/426-4791.

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