What is the scope of work done by the Water/Wastewater Department
Services to the public include sampling of potable water supply to satisfy the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. This sampling involves various bacteriological, mineral, metal, and organic sampling of the public water supply.
The department is also responsible for receiving and treating Lake Michigan water from the DuPage Water Commission, then repumping that water to the Elmhurst system to satisfy demand and maintain system pressures.
The department is also responsible for the operation and maintenance of the 12-storm water pumping stations and retention reservoirs. This involves equipment and facilities capable to various water retention reservoirs located throughout the City. The tasks of the department also include overseeing and design of the upgrades to the storm water pumping system as outlined by the goals set after the 1987 flooding.
The department responsibilities continue with the operation and maintenance of the sanitary lift stations and wastewater treatment plant. The City operates ten sanitary lift stations to collect wastewater from various areas within the City and transport it to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Plant itself has a capability of pumping 60 MGD per day and is operated under a permit from the Illinois EPA. The permit places restrictions on the plant and requires a minimal level of quality for the water treated before it is discharged to Salt Creek.
What are the capabilities of the individual systems at Elmhurst?
The average quantity of water pumped here is approximately 4.9 MGD per day on an average annual basis. The minimum day may be as low as 3.9 MGD. The maximum day has been as high as 9.9 MGD. The department is capable of pumping over 20 million gallons to the system per day.
The Wastewater Treatment Plant treats an average of 7.5 million gallons of wastewater per day. Historical high flows have been as high as 75 million gallons when the City experiences rain and snow runoff simultaneously.
How many people work in this department?
Currently, the department has 16 full-time and one part-time person covering three shifts seven days a week. The public water supply is monitored continuously by a computer controlled supervisory system, which both monitors and operates various aspects of the public water supply. This system is capable of responding to changes in demand within the system adjusting chemical feeds and alerting operators when conditions may change causing an operational problem within the system. This computer-controlled system is being expanded for both the storm, water pumping and sanitary water pumping responsibilities within the department.
How is the department regulated?
The department is regulated by several USEPA and Illinois EPA regulations in both the potable water supply and the wastewater treatment arenas. Illinois EPA in conjunction with Illinois Department of Public Health monitor the quality of water sold to the customers of Elmhurst. The department is responsible for a variety of water quality tests that are performed on an almost daily basis with results sent to Illinois EPA monthly. The Wastewater Treatment Plant is also regulated by Illinois EPA and is monitored closely by both onsite inspections and regular monthly reports on the quality of discharge to Salt Creek.
What is the source of water for the public water supply?
Elmhurst is now 100 percent Lake Michigan water. No well water is blended with the lake water; however, three standby wells are still in service and are kept operational as emergency backup sources of water. The DuPage Water Commission has recently completed a second water main to the Commission headquarters and has a looped system within the county that can provide water to Elmhurst in the event of water main breaks within the system.