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City of Highland Park Annual Water Testing of City-Owned Buildings Final Results

On July 24, 2017, the City of Highland Park, continuing with its commitment to provide safe drinking water, began the annual testing of all water fountains accessible to the public. Though the drinking water supplied by the City of Highland Park Water Plant is lead-free, buildings may have elevated lead levels due to old plumbing or fixtures. While there had been no indication that lead was present in the water at any facility, public safety is paramount and annual testing is a critical precautionary measure. This action exceeds State water testing requirements.

City staff collected water samples from all City-owned buildings, which were taken to a certified laboratory and tested for lead. Testing is the best way for organizations to know if there are elevated levels of lead in the drinking water and to quickly eliminate any potential problems. The City’s water production and distribution system meets or exceeds state and national standards and falls within United States and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) levels for safe use and consumption. The USEPA action level for lead is 15 parts per billion at which point remedial action is recommended.

Out of the 168 samples collected, 13 samples had a lead action levels over 15 ppb. These fixtures were located in one Karger Center Blue Room Classroom, two Highland Park Police Department men’s cells and three women’s cells, five in the Public Works building, one at Ravinia Fire Station #32, and one at the Highland Park Public Library (not accessible to the public). The fixtures have been shut down until they are replaced and tested to ensure they meet or exceed safety standards. The testing also revealed 13 additional fixtures that indicated lead concentrations between 6 ppb – 14 ppb. Though these results were within satisfactory standards according to the USEPA, the City also shut down both fountains as a proactive measure. The fixtures are being repaired and will not be available for use until they are remediated. The findings are isolated to specific water dispensing fixtures and are not systemic problems with the City’s water supply.

Protocols have been and will remain in place to ensure water delivered to homes, public facilities and business is safe. The City continuously monitors the safety of the water leaving the City’s Water Plant. Public health and safety are critical priorities.

All results are posted on the City website at www.cityhpil.com/leadwatertesting. Q&A and other information can be found at http://www.cityhpil.com/leadwatertesting. Questions can be directed to the Water Plant Superintendent Don Jensen at djensen@cityhpil.com or 847.433.4355.