Shorewood

The Village of Shorewood is pleased to present our annual water quality report. This summary covers January 1 through December 31, 2017, and utilizes data from the most recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required testing.

Source of Our Water
Shorewood's municipal water comes from groundwater sources. As water travels through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and can pick up substances from human activity. Our source water may contain:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage facilities, septic systems, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants including metals that may be naturally occurring
• Pesticides and herbicides from residential and agricultural applications
• Organic chemicals from industrial processes and petroleum production
• Radioactive materials that can occur naturally or result from mining activities

Source Water Assessment
The Illinois EPA has completed a source water assessment for our community. To request a copy, please visit City Hall or contact Bill Cerney, Jr. at (815) 553-2320. For a summary version, visit the EPA website.

Water Quality and Safety
The EPA has determined that Shorewood's Wells #4, #5, #6 and #7 are not susceptible to contamination based on monitoring data and hydrogeological studies of the area.

Important Health Information
All water contains small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure safety.

Lead Information
Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and children. Lead typically comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing, not the water supply itself. To minimize exposure, run your cold water for several minutes after long periods of non-use before using it for drinking or cooking. If concerned, consider having your water tested for lead.

Question: Why is my water cloudy or discolored?

Answer: Brown or rusty water typically appears when there's significant water movement in the system. This can happen during valve operations, main breaks, or hydrant flushing. Natural mineral deposits in the pipes get disturbed, causing temporary discoloration. This isn't harmful, but residents should avoid using hot water or washing clothes until the water clears. Simply run cold water from the lowest tap in your home for a few minutes until it runs clear.

How to Pay Your Bill Automatically

Save time and money with automatic debits from your checking or savings account.

1. Complete steps 1-4 on the Direct Payment Enrollment Form
2. Return the signed form to Public Works
3. Continue paying as normal until you receive notification that auto-pay is active
4. Your enrollment remains effective until you send written notice to discontinue

Important! This is not a one-time online payment system. For one-time payments, use the dropdown option on this page.

Benefits of Direct Payment:

• No need to buy stamps or wait in lines at City Hall
• Avoid late fees with automatic on-time payments
• Bills are paid on the exact due date

How Direct Payment Works:

You'll still receive a water/sewer bill statement showing the amount due and due date, marked "Do Not Pay, Payment Made by Direct Payment." The payment is automatically drafted on the due date. Your bill statement and bank statement serve as your receipt.

Fees and Changes:

The city charges no fee for this service, though returned payments will incur a $25 service charge. If you change banks, complete a new enrollment form and allow 30 days for processing. To discontinue auto-pay, notify us in writing and allow 30 days for the change.