Illinois American Water to Flush Water System and Fire Hydrants in Prospect Heights, Chicago Suburban Area
Beginning the week of July 27, 2020, Illinois American Water will be flushing water mains and fire hydrants in the Chicago Suburban area of Prospect Heights. Flushing will be performed during the day and is scheduled to continue throughout the summer. Timing of work may fluctuate due to weather conditions.
Illinois American Water conducts an annual water system flushing program to help continue high-quality water service to customers. Flushing the water system entails sending a rapid flow of water through the water mains. This is an important maintenance activity to assist with water quality as the process helps to remove natural sediment which can build up in water pipes over time. As part of the flushing program, fire hydrants are checked and operated to support fire protection in the community.
Kevin Hillen, Senior Manager for the Northern Division, said "Everything we do centers around our customers and providing quality service at a good value. The annual maintenance program is a part of our commitment to delivering reliable water service to homes and businesses, as well as fire hydrants."
Illinois American Water will place signs in neighborhoods where flushing is occurring to help inform residents of this work. While the flushing program is underway, customers may experience a slight drop in water pressure or temporary water discoloration. Customers should refrain from doing laundry during the time of day the flushing program is taking place in or near their neighborhood. If tap water is discolored, it is recommended that several cold-water faucets are allowed to run for a short time until the water runs clear. Using more than one faucet allows the water to clear faster.
As our employees perform this work, we are reminding our customers for their safety and the safety of our employees to follow social distancing recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We ask customers to not approach our employees. If customers have a question, they are encouraged to contact customer service at 800-422-2782.
For additional information, visit www.illinoisamwater.com under water information.
About Illinois American Water - Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.3 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville. With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,800 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to 15 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.