IL Department of Public Health Recommends Well Testing for Areas in Kendall and McHenry Counties

The Illinois Department of Public Health recently recommended that two communities test their wells for contamination.

First, IDPH advised residents who obtain their drinking water from private wells in the Hollis Subdivision (Kendall County) area to test their water for possible groundwater contamination.  Routine testing of Illinois American Water Company - Hollis community water supply wells by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency indicated contaminants could be present in the area’s private wells.  The contaminant xylene was detected at levels lower than the Illinois Groundwater Standard.  Although the contaminant’s levels were lower than the standard, this is the same groundwater that serves private wells and it is possible the levels of the contaminants may be higher in private wells.

Second, IDPH advised residents who obtain their drinking water from private wells in the Marengo (McHenry County) area to test their water for possible groundwater contamination.  Routine testing of Marengo’s community water supply wells by Illinois EPA indicated contaminants could be present in the area’s private wells.  The contaminants benzene and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) were detected at levels lower than the Illinois Groundwater Standard.  Although the contaminants’ levels were lower than the standard, this is the same groundwater that serves private wells and it is possible the levels of the contaminants may be higher in private wells.

For a list of laboratories certified to analyze drinking water for volatile organic compounds, interpretation of test results, contaminant health effects information, and recommendations for individuals who regularly consume well water, contact Joe O’Connor, IDPH West Chicago Regional Office, 245 West Roosevelt Road, Bldg 5, West Chicago, IL. 60185, phone (630) 293-6800 or joe.o’connor@illinois.gov.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.