Boil Order for Western Springs Lifted

Drink and cook at will, Western Springs! You're free!

The boil order for the Village of Western Springs has been lifted as of 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, according to a Village CodeRED notification. Residents may now freely use their water for cooking and drinking without need to boil it first. Water samples sent in for lab testing all came back clear of bacterial contamination, the notification said. Additional questions can be sent to the Public Works Department at 708-246-1800 x200.

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Droughts' Minimal Effect in Western Springs

Western Springs officials say there should be no trouble maintaining the water supply; Fourth of July fireworks should not be affected.

Water Hardness Has Risen 2x to 4x Since September

The gradual increase of mineral content in Western Springs water hit a high of 649 mg/L in May, nearly four times the amount necessary to define "hard water."

A water distribution report released by the Village of Western Springs on June 1 shows that the hardness level of Western Springs public water was tested at a range of 218-649 mg/L in May, up from 118-164 mg/L in September of 2011. The U.S. Geological Survey defines “hard water” as between 121 and 180 mg/L, with anything over 180 defined as “very hard.” Numbers from September through May show a gradual increase in hardness. However, fluoride levels in the water (tested every three months) have dropped to between 1.23 and 1.58 mg/L in May, down from a high of 2.13 mg/L in November—although these numbers are still double the 0.7 mg/L recommended by the Center of Disease Control, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and American Dental …

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Western Springs Poll

Western Springs Poll: Is Village Water Bugging You?

Water main breaks causing cloudy water, minerals causing hardness and damaging appliances, concerns about fluoride, restrictions... sound off here!

One of the most unique things about Western Springs is that we draw our own water (everyone except Timber Trails, that is) from deep wells, whereas surrounding communities like Hinsdale and La Grange pump in water from Lake Michigan. In fact, the recent decision to update the village water plant to a reverse-osmosis system was chosen over switching to lake water precisely because the Village likes having autonomy over the water and water prices. But recently, water has been a hot—even inflammatory—topic around town. The transition to reverse-osmosis has left the Village unable to soften its water, leaving mineral residue to wreak havoc on appliances and surfaces (this has gotten worse over the last two weeks as the Village has needed to …

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Springdale, Forest Hills Experiencing Water Issues

Western Springs Public Works is working to repair a water-main break at the corner of 53rd Street and Harvey Avenue.

Parts of the Springdale neighborhood of Western Springs lost water service on Wednesday morning, while other areas, including the rest of Springdale and some of Forest Hills, are expected to experience brownish or discolored water for an unspecified amount of time. The outage and issues are due to a water-main break at the corner of 53rd Street and Harvey Avenue in the very southeast corner of the Village. Discoloration in the water is being caused by "sediment that has been stirred in the pipes," according to a post on the official Western Springs Facebook page. "Public Works is working as quickly as possible to fix the break and turn the water back on," the Village stated on its website. The Public Works Department was not immediately …

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RO Plant Update: Iron Filters Installed, but Activation Delayed

Issues with the placement of a new transformer have slightly stalled the hooking-up of new Amiad iron filters; any overall project delay is uncertain.

The transition from sand filtration to new Amiad machines in the under-construction Western Springs water-treatment plant is half complete, with the new system installed but currently unable to be turned on or used until a new electrical transformer is put in place. In the completed reverse-osmosis plant, the Amiad iron filters will be the first line of treatment for the Village’s well water, clearing out any impurities over about two microns that might otherwise damage the cartridge filters (stage two) or reverse-osmosis equipment (stage three,) which will be installed later. But because of the unique challenges of rebuilding an in-use plant, said Village Municipal Services Director Matt Supert, much of the bulk of the plant …

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Mouse

11:40 pm on Friday, March 16, 2012

Good idea, Billy. I think I'm up to a couple thousand right now considering the damage this water is doing to my plumbing.   more ›

Tips for Handling Western Springs Fluorosis Concern

With Western Springs water currently coming directly out of Well No. 4, concentrations of fluoride are at levels where parents may wish to take some action.