Mokena

Mokena receives its water from the Chicago Water Department, which utilizes Lake Michigan as its primary source. The water undergoes treatment at either the Jardine Water Purification Plant (serving northern areas) or the South Water Purification Plant (serving southern regions).

Lake Michigan stands as the only Great Lake entirely within U.S. borders, touching Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. It ranks as the second largest Great Lake by volume (1,180 cubic miles) and third largest by surface area.

Source Water Assessment: As water travels across land surfaces and through soil, it can dissolve naturally occurring minerals and radioactive materials, as well as pick up substances from animal and human activities.

Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria)
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals)
• Organic chemical contaminants (pesticides, herbicides, petroleum products)
• Radioactive contaminants

All tap water, including bottled varieties, may reasonably contain minimal amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the USEPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

To ensure tap water safety, the USEPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. The Illinois EPA may implement additional or stricter standards as needed.

Common Questions About Chloramines in Municipal Water

1. What are chloramines?
   Chloramines are disinfectants created by adding ammonia to chlorine during water treatment. They provide extended protection since they remain stable longer in water distribution systems.
2. Which water systems are switching from chlorine to chloramine?
   All systems receiving water from Hardin County Water District No. 1 will transition to using chloramines for disinfection.
3. When will this change occur?
   The transition will happen gradually over the next several weeks.
4. What changes might residents notice?
   Most residents will experience improved taste and odor in their water. However, some may detect a temporary different smell or taste during the initial transition period.
5. Are chloramines safe?
   Yes, chloraminated water is safe for regular household uses including bathing, cooking, and drinking. Chloramines have been safely used across the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain for over 90 years. Many utilities including Louisville Water Company already use chloramine treatment. The EPA estimates that one in five Americans regularly uses chloramine-treated water.
6. Who needs to take special precautions?
   Kidney dialysis patients and aquarium owners must remove chloramines from water before use.
7. What precautions do dialysis patients need?
   Chloramines must be removed from water used in kidney dialysis machines. Patients should consult their healthcare providers or dialysis centers for guidance. Medical facilities are responsible for purifying water used in dialysis equipment. Patients can still safely drink, shower, and cook with chloraminated water since the digestive process neutralizes chloramines.
8. What should aquarium owners know?
   Chloramines must be removed from aquarium water as they're toxic to fish and aquatic life, entering directly into their bloodstream through gills. Special dechlorinating agents (available at pet stores) or high-grade activated carbon can remove chloramines. Simply letting water sit is not effective for removing chloramines.
9. If chloramines affect dialysis patients and fish, why are they safe for me?
   Chloramines are only harmful when entering the bloodstream directly. When consumed, they're neutralized by saliva and stomach acid, then safely eliminated from the body.
10. How can I remove chloramines from tap water?
    Unlike chlorine, chloramines cannot be removed by boiling, letting water stand, or using reverse osmosis filters. Special chloramine-removing products are commercially available from water filter suppliers.
11. Will my existing home water filter remove chloramines?
    Some household filtration systems can remove chloramines. Check your filter documentation or contact the manufacturer to confirm its chloramine-removal capabilities.