Spring services return in April in West Chicago

The City of West Chicago recently announced the schedule for the seasonal services, including the citywide collection event, brush pickup, and shredding day.

• Free leaf collection: Residents may dispose of an unlimited quantity of leaves during the week of April 5-9 on the regularly scheduled garbage pickup day. No stickers are required for leaves during this week; however, no other yard waste may be mixed with them. All leaves must be placed in a biodegradable kraft yard waste bag or a 95-gallon yard waste cart. Leaves will not be accepted in plastic bags or cardboard boxes.

• Yard waste collection: Yard waste collection will resume April 5 to Nov. 30. All yard waste that is not placed in a 95-gallon yard waste cart must be placed in a biodegradable kraft yard waste bag with a universal sticker attached.

• Brush pickup: The city's monthly brush pickup program runs May 3 to Nov. 1. Brush must be placed at the curb no earlier than two days prior to the first Monday of each month.

• Hydrant flushing: The Water Utility Division will be flushing fire hydrants this spring, April 5-30, weekdays, between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The flushing schedule will be released as soon as it is known. Signs will be posted in the areas one day prior to hydrant flushing.

Hydrant flushing maintains West Chicago's water distribution system and assures proper operation of hydrants in the event of an emergency. Unfortunately, discolored water can result. This discoloration poses no health risk. However, please check the water before washing laundry.

• Cross-Connection Control Devices: As a means of protecting the city's public water supply system from contamination due to back-siphonage or backflow of contaminants or pollutants through the customer's water service connection, the city requires certain water users to install and maintain an approved backflow prevention (cross-connection control) device. The purpose of the cross-connection control device is to prevent materials from entering the public water system if, and/or when, the pressure of the private water system exceeds the pressure of the public water system. Per city code and state statute, all cross-connection control devices shall be inspected at the time of installation and at least annually by the consumer using a person approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency as a Cross Connection Control Device Inspector. The inspection of mechanical devices shall include physical testing in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Results of the devices inspected must be forwarded to the city's public works department. Call the public works department at (630) 293-2255 with any questions.

• Citywide collection event: The annual Citywide Collection Event for those living in a single or two-family residence is scheduled for May 3-7 on the same day as customers' regular garbage pickup day.

A total of eight "Universal" stickers must be affixed on the pile of acceptable items. All eligible residents are encouraged to do some spring cleaning and take advantage of this annual program. Examples of "acceptable items" include, but are not limited to: garage and attic clean-out debris; barbeque grills; bicycles; carpeting, if rolled into sections not exceeding 4 foot in length and not weighing more than 50 lbs. per roll; household construction materials (e.g., lumber, drywall, plywood, doors) if bundled or placed within 33-gallon refuse containers and/or not weighing more than 50 lbs.; furniture; box springs and mattresses; household fixtures excluding electronics (as described below).

Examples of "unacceptable items" include, but not limited to: hazardous waste; tires; automotive parts, fluids and batteries (e.g., oil, transmission fluid, windshield washing fluid, starters, brake shoes, etc.); household batteries; oil-based paint; pesticides; and propane tanks, and large household appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers). Small household appliances (e.g., toasters, televisions, microwaves, computers, monitors, speakers, stereo equipment) are no longer acceptable items as they are now banned from Illinois landfills from all sources under penalty of law. For more information on recycling the materials listed above. Visit www.dupageco.org/recycling.

For more information about the citywide collection event and the acceptability of an item for pickup, please call (630) 293-2255.

• On-site paper shredding event: Ensure that personal and financial documents are destroyed in a safe, secure and environmentally responsible manner. The City of West Chicago Environmental Commission will be hosting an on-site paper shredding event on Saturday, June 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. The location is to be determined. Confidential materials are destroyed on premises by trained professionals in a matter of minutes while you watch. Local residents and businesses may bring up to 10 boxes for onsite document shredding.