From the Water Department

 

Paty Spain

John Rein

Diane Pagano

Phone Number: 708-453-0319

 

 

Important Information

• Inform the Water Department at 453-0319 if your property is going to be vacant for more than thirty days. Provide us with a contact phone number so we may contact you if we are alerted to a possible water leak.
• Notify the Water Department if your home is not heated during construction or vacancy. You may want to consider having the water turned off at the Buffalo Box to prevent broken pipes, frozen meters and leaks.
• Advise the Water Department if you are doing construction near the water meter or meter transmission unit. The meter transmission unit is a grey box connected by a wire to your water meter. (see illustration below)

   

You are responsible for a lost or damaged transmission unit. The replacement cost is $200.00.

Water Leak Detection

Water leak detection is one of the easiest ways to reduce water waste and reduce your water bill. Your water meter can help you detect a leak.

In the water meter pictured above, note the little red dial, just to the left of the center of the meter. The red dial only moves when water is going through the meter and out somewhere else in your home. If you are trying to locate a leak, check the following: toilets, faucets, sprinkler systems, furnace humidifiers, hot water tanks, or any other place you use water.

Shut the water supply off to the source you are checking. Then check the water meter to see if the red dial has stopped moving. If it has, the trouble is at that source.

Helful Hints for Winter

• Keep the heat on and set no lower than 55° to prevent the pipes/meter from freezing.
• Notify the Water Department at 708-453-0319 if your home is vacant and not heated.
• Shut off and drain pipes that lead to outside faucets.
• Seal any leaks that are located near pipes and that allow cold air inside.
• Insulate pipes susceptible to freezing. (crawl spaces/outside walls that are not insulated)
• Open cabinet or closet doors or remove ceiling tiles so warm air can reach your pipes and water meter. Move any harmful substances out of reach of children.
•  Let the cold water trickle if the temperature dips below freezing. Faucets farthest from the street should be the ones left running.
• Know where the main water shut-off valve is and how to open and close it.
• For additional information from the American Red Cross regarding Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes go to their Prepare.org website at

          http://www.prepare.org/basic/frozen.html

Every Drop Counts!