Water Division

Water Rate Study Report

The Water Facility is dedicated to providing its customers with a safe, high quality, and reliable water supply that meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water requirements. Currently pumping approximately one billion gallons annually, our goal is to treat and distribute our product efficiently while maintaining and upgrading the system to meet future demands. We are also committed to providing professional and courteous customer service to our residents. In addition to water treatment and distribution, other responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Sample collection and analysis.
• Maintenance of nine remote facilities.
• Maintenance of 5 Water Storage Tanks
• The acceptance process of newly constructed water mains.
• Metering - reading, and maintaining.
• Backflow protection program.
• Customer service.
• Pump and equipment maintenance and repair.

The Village of Carpentersville water treatment system consists of aeration, filtration, ion exchange softening, chlorination and fluoridation. Three shallow wells with a combined capacity of 7,200 gallons per minute (gpm) provide Carpentersville with an adequate water source. Two wells pumping simultaneously deliver 5,000 gpm through a force draft aerator to remove or reduce undesirable gases and to begin the oxidation of soluble iron and manganese. Following aeration, the water flows into a 120,000 gallon detention tank where the oxidation process is completed. The water then passes through six dual media gravity filters where the now insoluble iron and manganese substances are removed.

After filtration, the water is pumped through eight ion exchange softening units then to a 1,000,000 gallon storage tank. Four high service pumps with a combined capacity of 7,000 gpm operate on demand from the water level in a 120-foot standpipe located in the distribution system. Additional water storage includes a 750,000 gallon tower, 1,500,000 gallon tower and a 1,000,000 gallon ground water storage tank.

Distribution of water throughout the different pressure zones within the Village is accomplished by the use of two Booster Stations, one motor operated valve and eleven pressure reducing valve.

Included in the distribution system is approximately 120 Linier miles of water main varying in size from 4” to 20”, with over 1400 distribution valves and 1600 Fire Hydrants. From the water main water is brought to the home through water service ranges in size from ¾: to 1 ½”. These also include individual shut offs for service.

Maintenance for the distribution system is provided by the Carpentersville Underground Division. Homeowner responsibility for the maintenance of the system begins at the property line and continues to the indoor plumbing, except for the water meter.
The entire municipal water supply is chlorinated and fluoridated before entering the distribution center. To view annual water reports - click here.

For the past 24 years, the Carpentersville Water Department has received commendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Office of Health Promotion, Division of Oral Health, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Division of Public Water Supplies for monitoring and maintaining proper fluoride levels in the drinking water. Carpentersville is a leader in the state for its long history of fluoridation compliance.

Additional responsibilities of the Water Division include:

Customer Service: Turn water on and off for repairs or moving, final reads for billing, low water pressure, meter leaks, buffalo box repairs and assist with high bills due to leaks.

Water Meters: Installation of new construction meters, meter sizing, meter reading of 10,400 plus within the Village, maintain current meter read system while upgrading to a fixed based read system and meter testing.

Manage Backflow Program: Monitor testing and enforce compliance that all devices are tested annually to ensure that no contaminants are introduced into the potable water system by backflow or back siphonage.

New Construction: Pressure testing of newly installed water main, chlorination with satisfactory bacteria samples before being placed into service.

Equipment maintenance: Routine maintenance on all pumps and motors used for the treatment and distribution process. Replacement of valves as required. Annual servicing of eight iron removal filters and ion exchange softeners.

Buildings and Grounds: Include main location and nine remote locations.

Carpentersville Installs Fixed Based Meter Read System

The Village of Carpentersville Water Division is replacing and upgrading all of the water meters within the Village at no cost to you. Completion will take several years as installations are being done utilizing current personnel. The new water meters feature integrated radio technology which will greatly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of water metering operations, and increase customer service support. Following is a list of items needed for the installation of a new meter.

1. Access to the water meter inside your home or business.
2. 30 minutes of your time.
3. A person over the age of 18 to be present.

Installations can be scheduled between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Installers will arrive within 1/2 hour of your scheduled time. They will carry Village ID's and drive a clearly marked vehicle.

To schedule an installation call the Water Division at 847-551-3492 or send an email.

Not sure if you have a new meter?  Click here to view a list of completed addresses.

High Water Bills?

A high water bill may indicate you have a leak. Even a small leak can waste enough water for you to notice the increase in your bill.

If there is a leak anywhere within your plumbing system, the person named on the Water Bill must pay for the water used through the meter. Fix your leaks to avoid paying higher water bills.

Each family member uses 2,500 to 3,000 gallons of water every month for indoor activities. Outdoor watering can drastically increase your water bill.

Determine Whether You Have a Leak

You can use your water meter for leak detection. Go to your meter. You will see a glass dial similar to a clock face. There will be an odometer style wheel and a sweep hand. Write down the reading on the odometer style wheel and the position of the sweep hand. There will also be a low flow indicator on the dial face. If the low flow indicator is moving when you are not knowingly using water, this is a good indication there is a leak.

After reading the meter, use no water for at least 2 hours. You can read the meter just before you leave the house for work, shopping or do the test overnight. Take a second reading after a minimum of 2 hours. If you used no water, the two readings should be the same. If the reading has changed the sweep hand or low flow indicator has moved, somewhere on the property water is being used.

Looking for Water Leaks

Most leaks are easy to find, but some can go undetected. Here are some ways to look for a leak.

Finding and Fixing Common Toilet Leaks

Fill Tube Replacement: Make sure the refill tube is securely inside the overflow tube, so that it does not pop out when the toilet starts refilling. It should not be inserted more than two inches.

Incorrect water level . If your toilet constantly runs, the water level may be too high and draining out the overflow tube. You can correct this with the Float adjustment screw. Flush the tank and then turn this screw Clockwise to lower the float, and cause the water to be shut off earlier. Adjust this screw until the water shuts off one inch before it reaches the top of the overflow tube or is even with the “water level line”.

Adjusting the water level: Turn the Float Adjustment Screw clockwise to lower the water level and counterclockwise to raise it. If this adjustment is corroded or stripped, the unit will need to be replaced.

Leaking flapper: If water still flows from the tank to the bowl, it is likely that the flapper needs to be replaced. Before doing this, make sure you have the correct flapper for your toilet. 1.6 gpf toilets use special flappers, and using an incorrect or universal flapper could result in your toilet using much more water than it should

Flapper Replacement: Leaking flappers are easily replaced, but it’s important on 1.6 gpf toilets to get the correct one. Flapper replacement involves draining the tank, removing the old flapper and installing the new one, and adjusting the chain length. Flappers are made of rubber, and are easily slipped on and off the pins on the overflow tube.

Faucets, Bathtubs and Showers

Place washer in leaking faucets.
Replace cartridges or complete fixtures on washerless faucets.
Check outside faucets, replace washers as needed.
Water Heater

Replace leaky pressure relief valve.
Check that drain valve is closed completely.
Dishwasher & Clothes Washer

Look for water marks or stains underneath machine.
Check hoses for leaks.
Sprinkler Systems

Check settings on automatic timers.
Replace damaged sprinkler heads.
Make sure all drain plugs are in place.
Check to see if the backflow device is leaking.

Even a small leak costs money

If you don’t find a leak

Did you use more water outside?
Lawn watering, install sod or re-seed, Children using the sprinkler to play.

Were there additional people in the home?
Relatives or friends staying with you.

Do extra loads of laundry before and after vacation?
Go on vacation and leave someone else in charge of lawn maintenance?
Do you rent your unit?

Main Water Shut-Off Valve

The shut-off valve is your best protection against costly water damage if and when pipes burst or major leaks occur. Normally the shut off valve is located near the water meter in the utility room, basement, and crawl space or where the service line enters the house or business. Although this location may vary depending upon when your home or business was built. Make sure everyone in your household or business knows EXACTLY where the shut-off valve is how it operates and that it functions properly. Any plumbing problem can result in severe water damage in a short period of time. At times like this the shut-off valve is invaluable. The property owner is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the valves and keeping the water meter accessible and warm.

Most houses also have fixture shutoff valves at the toilet and at each sink. These valves allow you shut off the water supply to one fixture without halting water service to other fixtures. The water shutoff valves to the kitchen sink are inside the cabinets beneath the sink; the bath lavatory valves are usually concealed in the vanity cabinet beneath the lavatory. For the toilet, the water shutoff valve may be on either side, or beneath the water closet or tank.

Questions, please call the Water Division at 847-551-3492