Residents of Hillcrest are still under a drinking water alert as village officials work to solve the issue of high nitrate levels in the water system.
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HILLCREST — Residents of Hillcrest are still under a drinking water alert as village officials work to solve the issue of high nitrate levels in the water system.
The next step, says village president Steve Dodson, is to get the other well back in operation after the necessary repairs are completed. Dodson updated village trustees during Wednesday’s board meeting.
“We have to get Well 2 back online so we can get that well’s water back into the tower so it can equalize out,” Dodson said. “We are hoping that it will take the nitrate levels back down.”
Currently Well 2 is down for repairs. Dodson said estimates to fix the piping and the parts and labor needed to repair the well are about $23,000. Once that is completed, a camera will be inserted into the well in order to determine why the well had been drawing sand. The camera process will cost an additional $980.
The village will need to have the water system retested in 30 days.
“If the levels are too high again, we will have to issue another notice to let the residents know,” Dodson said.
Another option, said Dodson, is to cease operations at the well and drill another.
The water samples tested last Thursday from Well 1 showed nitrate levels of 12.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L.), which is above the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 mg/L. Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six months old.
Notices were mailed to residents immediately, and the village posted the information in the newspaper and on the radio station.
Village trustees also discussed other ways to inform residents of issues such as posting road signs, telephone alerts, mailers, and hand delivering notices to each of the homes.
Dodson said he is hoping once well 2 becomes operational, the water from both wells will blend and bring the levels below the MCL.
Other business
Village trustees tabled any voting on the Rochelle Police Department Antenna lease Agreement pending further review.
In new business, trustees discussed amending the village ordinance to reflect culvert maintenance and repairs. Next year’s budget is said to allow for a line item to include the costs to repair culverts in a few places throughout the village.
The village was complimented on its excellent accounting records during the fiscal year 2017 audit report from John Stauter.
