The Village of Mount Prospect announced Friday, January 26, 2024 the following details about a possible leak in their 90-inch transmission main that delivers water to Mount Prospect and six other municipalities (does not include the border municipality of Arlington Heights).
The Northwest Suburban Municipal Joint Action Water Agency (NSMJAWA) has informed the Village of Mount Prospect of a possible leak on their 90-in transmission main that delivers Lake Michigan water to the Village of Mount Prospect and surrounding member communities including the Village of Elk Grove Village, Village of Hanover Park, Village of Hoffman Estates, City of Rolling Meadows, Village of Schaumburg, and the Village of Streamwood.
Later during the Spring 2024, NSMJAWA will perform an exploratory excavation to determine the exact location of the leak and to ascertain what materials will be needed for the repair. The excavation will likely take several days to complete, and all NSMJAWA members will have to rely on a backup water supply while the exploratory excavation is being performed.
The Village will provide additional details once the date of the exploratory excavation has been decided.
If deemed appropriate, the agency may begin repairs immediately following the discovery of the leak, resulting in a shut-down of supply water to the Village. It is estimated that the repairs will take three (3) to seven (7) days to complete. During that time, the Village will utilize various interconnects with other suppliers and/or utilize the existing potable water deep well systems. All the other NSMJAWA members will also have to use alternate water sources.
The Village of Mount Prospect will initially utilize existing interconnections with the Village of Arlington Heights, the City of Des Plaines, and the Illinois American Water Company. These water purveyors all source Lake Michigan water from a different supplier and, therefore, are not affected by the shut-down. There should be no discernible difference between the water you normally consume and the water received from Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, or Illinois American.
However, some customers may initially notice a drop in water pressure. To receive water from Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, and Illinois American, the Village-owned water system must operate at a relatively lower pressure. If the pressure drops too low, or the emergency interconnections with Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, and Illinois American cannot convey enough water to meet demand, the Village will produce water from artesian deep wells.
These wells are each over 1,000 feet deep. The water is safe to drink though some may notice that it tastes, smells, and may even appear different than the Lake Michigan water that normally flows from Mount Prospect faucets. Public Works will disinfect the water with chlorine prior to distribution.
Please note, the Village began using Lake Michigan water purchased through NSMJAWA in 1988. Prior to that time, the Village utilized these deep wells as its only source of drinking water for decades.
Should the Village need to use an alternate water source, we ask customers to limit water usage until the Village returns to its primary water source.
Limiting water use includes:
Waiting to run the dishwasher or washing machine
Minimizing shower and bath use
Flushing less frequently
Avoiding all outdoor water uses
If you have questions or concerns about this matter, please check the Village website and the Public Works Department’s social media for additional information. You can also contact the Mount Prospect Public Works Department directly at 847-870-5640 or [email protected].
— Village of Mount Prospect
According to the Village of Arlington Heights 2022 Water Quality Report, the source of water in Arlington Heights is the City of Evanston, where the Evanston water filtration plant provides the following treatment processes: Flocculation (separation of sediment for water), Sedimentation (settling of particles via gravity), Rapid Sand Filtration, and Disinfection.
The Evanston plant adds fluoride and chlorine to the water in accordance with State and Federal guidelines. Additionally, the Evanston plant adds Polyorthophosphate as a corrosion inhibitor to guard against lead and copper contamination of the drinking water supply. The Village of Arlington Heights monitors the levels of chlorine disinfectant in the treated, finished water; and adds chlorine as needed in order to maintain a disinfectant residual as required by State and Federal Regulations. Northwest Water Commission collects water from the Evanston plant and distributes the water to Arlington Heights.
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