1. Where does our water come from?
Since 1948 the Village has received treated Lake Michigan water from the City of Chicago. The main water treatment plant is on the lake next to Navy Pier.

2. How does it get to my house?
Oak Lawn gets its water from three connections to the City of Chicago. Water is pumped into the distribution system from two pumping stations. The Reich Pumping Station located at Southwest Highway and Kilbourn and the Harker Pumping Station located at 105th Street and Lockwood.

3. What are the tall water tanks for?
These elevated storage tanks provide the pressure for the water system and emergency water supplies for fires and service interruptions if and when they occur.

4. How do you make sure that the water is safe to drink?
Raw water is processed at the Chicago filtration plants. Treatment and testing follow strict guidelines set up by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). The Village also performs weekly bacteriological analysis at fifteen sites throughout the water system.

5. What is in the water?
Chlorine, fluoride, and polyphosphates are added to the water. Chlorine is added to disinfect water from any microbial contaminants. Fluoride is added to help prevent tooth decay, and polyphosphate is added to coat pipes internally. This prevents lead and copper contamination of the water from older plumbing.

6. Why do you flush the hydrants?
This program benefits are two-fold. Number one, this exercise helps remove corrosion and sedimentation buildup in water mains. It also serves as an annual operational check on the condition of fire hydrants.

7. Why does the water taste funny in late summer?
The most commonly reported taste and odor problems in Oak Lawn result from two separate and distinct chemical reactions in the water itself. The first of these taste and odor problems is often described as “chlorine smell”. It is generally characterized as drinking water that smells like swimming pool water. Although counter-intuitive, the problem is not too much chlorine, but too little. The chlorine in the water is out of balance with the physical and chemical nature of the water. This results in the “strong” chlorine odor that is objectionable to customers. Typically, this problem disappears in a day or two.

The second and most widely experienced problem is related to algae that grow in Lake Michigan. Simply stated, the chemical compounds geosmin and two methylisoborneal are introduced into the water by the proliferation of blue-green algae. This problem generally manifests itself during the warm summer months. Although the compounds are not harmful, the result is an earthy or musty taste and odor that is objectionable to some customers.

8. What happens when a water main breaks?
Causes of main breaks are usually corrosion of the pipe due to acidic soil or due to ground pressures created by drought or freeze/thaw cycles in the overlying soil. Breaks normally occur in older cast-iron water mains.

9. What if I see a fire hydrant leaking or in need of repair, or water bubbling up from the ground?
Contact Public Works at 708-499-7756. After business hours call the non- emergency Police number at 708-422-8292.

10. What if the buffalo box in my parkway or front yard is too high?
Contact Public Works and we will inspect it and lower it to grade if necessary.

11. What if my water pressure is low?
Contact Public Works at 708-499-7756.

12. What if I need the water shut off at my property for internal plumbing repairs?
Contact Public Works at 708-499-7756. After business hours call the non- emergency Police number at 708-422-8292.