January 10, 2022
Lake County Public Works (LCPW) wishes you a very Happy New Year. We are proud to serve you by working day in and day out to ensure you have water and sewer services available to you 24/7.
Read below to learn more about projects we completed this year, preventing frozen pipes, and an update to the EPA's lead and copper rule.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
Very cold temperatures have the potential to cause a costly repair in your home - frozen pipes.
Exposed pipes, no matter the material, face the risk of freezing and bursting causing significant damage to homeowners. Protect your home this winter by taking the proper precautions. Learn more about what you can do to prevent frozen pipes.
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Project Highlights of 2021
It was a very busy year of construction for the Public Works team!
Park West Water Main Rehabilitation
LCPW rehabilitated the original cast iron pipe water main on the western side of the Park West Townhome subdivision. This project featured a new method called "trenchless technology" to minimize impacts and disturbance of landscaping. Lining of the water main will extend the lifespan of the pipe for another 50 years.
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Hawthorn Hills Square Water Main Replacement
Nearly 2,850 linear feet of water main pipe was replaced on the Hawthorn Hills square property. LCPW not only provides water to homes, but also to businesses. The project will ensure water can continue to flow to this area for decades to come.
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Vernon Hills Water System Mechanical & Electrical Upgrade
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Mechanical and electrical upgrades were made to eight facilities that support the Vernon Hills water system. This included the installation of new water valves and sensors, and equipment that allows LCPW to monitor the water system remotely, which can help us identify and address possible issues faster and more efficiently. |
Prairie Pointe Water Tower Rehabilitation
LCPW rehabilitated the Brooks Farm (Prairie Pointe subdivision) water tower in Round Lake. Work included repairing and painting the 400,000-gallon water tower and a drainage improvement to prevent the adjacent bike path from being impacted by a tower overflow event.
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EPA Updates National Lead and Copper Rule
In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a national regulation to control lead and copper in drinking water that local agencies must adhere to. Recently, the EPA announced new rules that strengthen these regulations in an effort to better protect communities from the exposure of lead. The new regulations noted below went into effect on Jan. 1.
- Local water suppliers must prepare water main line inventory for each water system
- Lead service lines must be replaced as quickly as feasible
Lead is rarely found in significant quantities in naturally occurring sources of water, such as streams, lakes, rivers, or ground water. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, solder, and brass fittings in faucets and fixtures.
Additional regulations are forthcoming, and LCPW in anticipation of that plans to initiate a routine lead and copper water monitoring program at childcare facilities and schools K-12.
LCPW also continues to remain proactive in annual testing for lead and copper in all of its 11 water systems. Providing safe and reliable drinking water is always the top priority of LCPW. In 2021, all Lake County drinking water systems tested met the EPA testing requirements. Visit the water quality reports web page to read your annual water quality report.
Contact Us
The Lake County Public Works Building located at 650 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville is open to the public. Face coverings are required to enter the building, and social distancing protocols are in place which permit only a few customers in the building at a time. Customers are still strongly encouraged to contact us virtually with any questions or concerns at:
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