A flushing procedure is scheduled to begin later on Monday to bring a second deep well back online and improve water quality in Western Springs, the director of municipal services said.
Repairs to the well, targeted for completion Nov. 13, have been delayed due to several factors, including weather concerns and electrical problem, said Matt Supert.
An update on repairs, as well as a proposed water rate increase, likely will be discussed at the Village Board meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Village Hall, 740 Hillrove Ave.
Some residents have complained about discolored water, high iron content and damage to appliances during the repair process, but no one has addressed the board at meetings Oct. 26 and Nov. 9.
Supert has stressed the water is safe to drink and meets all Environmental Protection Agency standards. The color and hardness of the water, due to the iron and calcium content, are an aesthetic issue, rather than a health concern, he said.
Repairs were deemed necessary on Well No. 3 and a spring ban was imposed Oct. 21 to curb demand and decrease use of a shallow well mixing mineral-concentrated water with water purified through the village’s reverse osmosis system pumped from the functioning deep well.
High winds Nov. 12 and 13 prevented crews from hoisting pipes up and into the well 1,600 feet below ground, Supert said in updates on the village website. After the pump and motor were installed, rain and windy conditions delayed work Nov. 18.
On Friday, workers discovered a small pinhole in the electrical line, causing water to infiltrate and cause a fault, Supert said. The pipe was pulled for repairs and reinstalled before the snowstorm the following day.
Following the flushing procedure, water samples will be sent to a lab, which will take 24 to 72 hours to test, Supert said. When the samples are approved, the well can begin operating again, he said.
The director cautioned it may time for the water to fill the storage tanks and flow through the distribution system for residents to see a return to normal, depending on where they live in town.
Twitter: @janemichaels22
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