Waukegan Water Company

Welcome to your Annual Water Quality Report covering January 1 through December 31, 2017. Your tap water met all USEPA and state health requirements. We're pleased to report our system had no contaminant level violations. This document summarizes essential information about your water source, treatment processes, and contents.

Water Source and Treatment: Waukegan draws water from Lake Michigan through specialized intakes. The water undergoes multiple treatment stages for your safety:

• Addition of aluminum sulfate and polymers to reduce turbidity
• Settling basin processing to remove particulates
• Filtration through natural media (gravel, sand, anthracite) to eliminate remaining particles
• Triple chlorine disinfection with continuous monitoring
• Addition of fluoride (state-mandated) and phosphate (for pipe protection)

Water Testing and Monitoring: Our facility conducts rigorous testing daily, 24/7, 365 days yearly. Beyond manual tests, we employ continuous monitoring systems checking turbidity every 3 seconds (over 94 million readings annually) and chlorine levels every 2.5 minutes. Our certified lab, together with EPA-approved facilities, tests for more than 100 potential contaminants including bacteria, radioactive compounds, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. Despite concerns about PCBs near Waukegan Harbor, none have been detected in our municipal water.

Lead and Copper Information: Lead in drinking water typically comes from household plumbing or service lines rather than the water source. We add mixed phosphate to minimize leaching from plumbing materials. If present, elevated lead levels can cause serious health issues, especially for pregnant women and young children. After water sits for several hours, consider flushing your tap for two minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. For concerns about lead, water testing information is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

1. Where does Waukegan water come from?
   Waukegan supplies surface water to Waukegan, Illinois.
2. Does Waukegan test its tap water?
   Yes. Like every public water system, Waukegan must test its water under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and publish an annual water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report). Ask the utility for the latest report or look for it on its website.
3. How do I contact Waukegan?
   Call 847-599-2687 or visit 100 N Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085, or use the contact options on the utility’s website.
4. Does Waukegan water contain lead?
   Water usually leaves the treatment plant without lead. Lead can enter tap water from older service lines, solder and brass fixtures inside homes, especially when water sits in the pipes. Run the tap before drinking if water has been sitting, and ask the utility about lead testing and service line records.
5. Is Waukegan water hard?
   Hardness depends on the source and changes over time. The annual water quality report lists hardness, or you can test it at home. If it is above about 7 grains per gallon, a water softener sized to your measured hardness will stop scale and spotting.