Freeport

The Freeport Water & Sewer Department is proud to present this year's Water Quality Report. This document provides an overview of the water quality we delivered last year. Included are details about your water source, composition, and compliance with EPA and state health standards. We're committed to transparency, as informed customers are our greatest allies.

For additional information, please visit our webpage at http://www.ci.freeport.il.us/departments/water_sewer.htm or contact Tom Kopanski at 815-233-1686, or utilitydirector@cityoffreeport.org.

During the 2017 calendar year, our department conducted tests for seventy water contaminants. We're pleased to report zero water quality violations in 2017. Our monitoring and testing revealed some substances at detectable levels, but the EPA has determined these levels are safe for consumption.

All water sources, including bottled water, naturally contain small amounts of certain contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact USEPA's Safe Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

To ensure tap water safety, the EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. Similarly, FDA regulations set limits for bottled water contaminants to provide equivalent public health protection. Unregulated contaminants are those without established EPA standards. We completed monitoring for EPA's third list of unregulated contaminants in 2015's second quarter. Results are available in the table below, on our website, or by calling 815-233-0111.

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems—such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, elderly individuals, and infants—may face higher risks. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about drinking water. USEPA/CDC guidelines for reducing Cryptosporidium and microbial contamination risk are available from the Safe Water Hotline.

Freeport obtains water from wells. The water undergoes several treatment processes including aeration, chlorination, filtration, and fluoridation. Our newest wells (No. 8 and No. 9) require only chlorination and fluoridation due to lower manganese and iron content in their source water.

The Illinois Rural Water Association conducted a site survey in 2003, identifying thirty-three potential contamination sources that could affect Freeport's groundwater. Based on this information, the Illinois EPA determined wells 2 and 5-7 are susceptible to contamination, while well 8 is not. Please note wells 2 and 6 were abandoned and sealed in 2018.

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