As you may know, bacteria, nitrates, and metals (including lead and copper) all have the potential to compromise the quality of drinking water in our homes. Out of concern for the health and safety of our families, below are resources that can help you determine if your water has been contaminated.
If you are concerned about potential lead contamination in your water and would like to know what steps you can take, I would encourage you to view the Illinois Department of Public Health’s fact sheet on this topic.
EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline
If you have questions regarding drinking water, I would encourage you to contact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline. The hotline can provide your with information on a number of topics that include: local drinking water quality, drinking water standards, public drinking water systems, source water protection, large capacity residential septic systems, commercial and industrial septic systems, injections wells, and drainage well. The hotline’s phone number and hours of service are below.
Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791
Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST, Monday through Friday
The Safe Drinking Water Hotline is closed on federal holidays and the day after Thanksgiving.
*Bilingual service is available*
Getting your Water Tested
If you feel that you would benefit from having your water professionally tested for bacteria, nitrates, and metal contamination, below are Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) accredited laboratories that operate in the Illinois 17th Congressional District.
PDC Laboratories, Inc.
2231 W. Altofer Drive
Peoria, IL 61615
Telephone: (309) 692-9688
Suburban Laboratories, Inc.
4140 Litt Drive
Hillside, IL 60162-1183
Telephone: (708) 544-3260
https://drinkingwaterlabs.com/
*Please note that this a mail-away service, and they do not have a physical location*
How to Get a Filter
While running your tap water for at least 1-2 minutes until the water is at its coldest is encouraged to regularly flush lead contaminates from your plumbing, NSF certified water filtration products may help further purify your water. If you are interested in finding out more information regarding NSF water filtration devices for your home, you can visit their website.