Norton Shores

We are pleased to present our Annual Municipal Water Quality Report. This document provides information about the quality of water delivered to you daily. Our constant goal is to provide you with safe, reliable municipal water. We want you to understand our ongoing efforts to improve water treatment processes and protect our valuable water resources.

The Muskegon Water Filtration Plant treats water from Lake Michigan, one of the world's premier surface water sources. In 2017, Norton Shores consumed over 982 million gallons of water. As in previous years, your tap water met all EPA and State health requirements for municipal water. Both the Muskegon Filtration Plant and Norton Shores Water Division carefully safeguard the water supply.

If you have questions about this report or our water services, please contact Water Superintendent Matt Anderson at (231) 799-6804. We encourage our valued customers to learn more about their water system by visiting our office at Norton Shores City Hall, 4814 Henry Street.

The Muskegon Filtration Plant and Norton Shores Water Division routinely test for contaminants according to Federal and State regulations. The included table shows monitoring results from January 1 through December 31, 2017. All municipal water, including bottled water, naturally contains small amounts of some substances. These substances, classified as contaminants in testing reports, include both natural elements and manufactured compounds used in everyday life.

It's important to note that the presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. Even distilled water contains trace amounts of minerals. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

MCLs (Maximum Contaminant Levels) are set at very stringent levels. To understand the possible health effects described for regulated substances, a person would need to drink 2 liters daily for a lifetime to have a one-in-a-million chance of experiencing the described health effect.

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems (including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, elderly individuals, and infants) may be particularly susceptible to infections. These individuals should seek advice from healthcare providers about municipal water consumption.

The Department of Environmental Quality completed a Source Water Assessment in 2003. To review this assessment, please contact the Norton Shores Water and Sewer Division at (231) 799-6804.

Municipal water sources include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, and may pick up substances from animal or human activity.

To ensure tap water safety, the EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. Similarly, FDA guidelines set contaminant limits for bottled water to provide comparable public health protection.

Consumer Awareness of Lead

Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Infants and children exposed to lead above action levels may experience developmental delays. Children might show slight attention deficits and learning difficulties. Adults with long-term exposure may develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.

Lead in municipal water typically comes from plumbing materials and components. While Norton Shores provides high-quality water, we cannot control the materials used in residential plumbing. When water sits for several hours, you can minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned about lead, consider water testing. Information about lead in water, testing methods, and exposure reduction is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

For questions, please call our office at (231) 799-6804.

Potential Contaminants in Source Water:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) from natural sources or urban runoff, industrial wastewater, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agricultural, residential, and other sources
• Radioactive contaminants from natural sources or mining and oil/gas production
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems

1. Does Shorewood have a real estate transfer tax?
   No.
2. Does the Village require a vehicle sticker?
   No.
3. How can I pay my water/sewer bill?
   Check or Cash Payments are accepted at the Village Hall Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30. Payments can be placed in the Drive-up drop box at the rear of Village Hall, One Towne Center Blvd., Shorewood IL 60404. Direct Debit authorization forms are available at Village Hall or online at http://www.vil.shorewood.il.us/UtilityBill_DirectPaymentProgram.pdf. Credit card payments can be made online at http://www.vil.shorewood.il.us/residents/utilities.aspx.
4. What is the Village's property tax rate?
   For current property tax rates, visit our website at http://www.vil.shorewood.il.us/departments/finance/tax_information.aspx.
5. Who should I contact with questions about my water bill?
   Direct all water bill inquiries to the Utility Billing Clerk in the Finance Department at (815) 207-4631.
6. How do I find information about my Real Estate Tax Bill?
   Contact Troy Township Assessor's Office at 815-744-5803 or visit their website at http://www.troytownship.com/assessor.aspx.
7. What are the Water/Sewer Rates in Shorewood?
   Current Water/Sewer rates for Village of Shorewood are available on our website at http://www.vil.shorewood.il.us/departments/finance/application-building.aspx.