Residents of Wheeling condo complex haven't had running water for 5 days

Residents of the 210-unit Plum Creek Condominiums in Wheeling have been without running water since Friday, when a pump shaft broke in one of the building's wells.

Some Plum Creek residents have been using portable toilets set up in the building's parking lot and get drinking water from a tank set up in the parking garage.

Amy Yakimenko, who has been renting a unit at Plum Creek for two years, says she left once she heard about the water problem.

"I moved to my friend's house for this time and have been coming back to check on my cat," she said. "But I know it's really hard for some of the older residents when they don't have the choice to move somewhere else."

Plum Creek has two wells, and both are owned by the Plum Creek Condo Association and its residents. The other well failed several months ago.

The Layne Christensen Co. installed a new pump and motor along with new piping in the well that broke down Friday, but machine shop supervisor Jeff Poppen called that a temporary fix.

While Layne bolted up the well Tuesday evening with the expectation that residents would have running water later that night, the water still has to pass two tests from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency before it's deemed safe.

The village is limited in what it can do, Wheeling Village Manager Jon Sfondilis said.

"The well is owned by the residents and the association," Sfondilis said. "So while they are Wheeling residents, we really have no jurisdiction over this."

He said Plum Creek and its management company, Cornerstone Management, have two options when it comes to fixing the wells for the long term.

"They can fix and maintain both of the existing wells or have a contractor design and install a main system that could connect to the village water," he said.

Cornerstone Management could not be reached for comment.

Condo owner Paul Cacioppo said he thinks Plum Creek should just connect to water from the village.

"But then there's a downfall with that, too, because of the price," he said.

Village President Dean Argiris said the village had advised Plum Creek to fix and maintain the wells before the shaft broke Friday.

"We've been talking for years telling them this was going to happen," Argiris said. "Even if the water gets turned on Tuesday, this is a Band-Aid."

And Cacioppo said "Band-Aids" are a typical solution to problems at Plum Creek.

"It's always temporary around here. That's kind of the story with a few things," Cacioppo said. "That happened with the roof, and it's money spent that's wasted in the long run."

The Wheeling Park District has been offering its shower facilities to Plum Creek residents while they are without water.

"This isn't something that residents typically request, but we're happy we've been able to accommodate the residents," said park district Communications Manager Mary Proiller.

And Cacioppo said his dog, Bella, might actually be enjoying not having running water because now she's getting bottled water.