FAQs • Deerfield, IL • CivicEngage

Periodically, my water tastes and smells funny. Why does this occur?: The most common reasons for taste and odor problems with drinking water include chlorine that is added to the water to kill bacteria; Non-toxic algae, bacteria, and tiny fungi grow in surface water sources and give off non toxic, smelly chemicals that cause unpleasant tastes in drinking water. Different algae cause different tastes and odors, for example a grassy, swampy taste. The tiny fungi can cause an earthy musty taste; and Metallic tastes can come from iron rust in iron pipes. Odor poses no health impact and is strictly aesthetic.

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Public Works - Water Concerns

1. When should I water?: Generally speaking, trees require one inch of water per week when in leaf, either from rain or homeowner. Set a hose to trickle over the area within the drip line and move the hose periodically to cover as much of the root zone as possible. Care must be taken not to over water trees, as too much water can kill the tree as well.

2. Where does my drinking water come from?: The Village of Deerfield purchases its water from the City of Highland Park, whose water treatment facility collects and processes from Lake Michigan. Processed water is then pumped to 1 of 4 places; 1 of 3 reservoirs or 1 elevated tank. From there, it is pumped into the water distribution system.

3. How safe is my drinking water?: The water supplied to the Village of Deerfield is very safe as it must meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's standards for safe drinking water.

4. Should I buy bottled water?: You don't need to buy bottled water for health reasons; Deerfield's drinking water meets all of the Federal and State drinking water standards. Bottled water may have a slightly different taste than tap water, but it costs up to 1,000 times more than municipal drinking water. In emergencies, bottled water can be a vital source of drinking water if water service is lost. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires bottled water quality standards to be equal to those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for tap water, but the quality of the finished product is not government-monitored.

5. Can I test my own water at home?: You can, but not in a meaningful way. Simple kits are available to test for hardness and some chemicals like chlorine and lead, but a thorough analysis is not possible. The Water Department provides information on water quality, published in our annual drinking water quality report. (May/June issue of the Village's newsletter) Any questions about water quality should be directed to the Water Department at 847-317-7245.

6. What is the hardness of the water?: On average the water hardness is approximately 7 to 8 grains or 134 parts per million.

7. Periodically, my water tastes and smells funny. Why does this occur?: The most common reasons for taste and odor problems with drinking water include chlorine that is added to the water to kill bacteria; Non-toxic algae, bacteria, and tiny fungi grow in surface water sources and give off non toxic, smelly chemicals that cause unpleasant tastes in drinking water. Different algae cause different tastes and odors, for example a grassy, swampy taste. The tiny fungi can cause an earthy musty taste; and Metallic tastes can come from iron rust in iron pipes. Odor poses no health impact and is strictly aesthetic.

8. What can I do about these water taste and odor problems?: In-home water filtration systems that employ activated carbon can help reduce or eliminate these tastes and odors. If you purchase such a unit, please remember that it is very important to follow the manufacturer's instructions with respect to maintenance. In addition, cooling water in your refrigerator can help.

9. Who should I contact if I have questions about my water?: Any questions about water or water quality should be directed to the Water Department at 847-317-7245.