University Park Mayor Seeks Restoration of Water Rights from Aqua Illinois Amid Alarming Nitrate Levels

Residents of University Park, Illinois, are frustrated with ongoing water issues. For years, many in the community have turned to bottled water after high lead levels were found back in 2019. The situation worsened recently after heavy rains introduced harmful nitrate levels into their drinking water, prompting the private utility, Aqua Illinois, to distribute free bottled water again.

Donna Bell, a local resident, uses bottled water for everything except bathing. “I even use it in my water flosser because I just don’t trust the water,” she shared. Many others share her concerns. Aqua Illinois advises that infants under six months should not drink the tap water due to the high nitrate levels. However, many adults remain cautious, aware of the previous contamination issues.

William Holloway, another resident, expressed his anger: “It’s really unacceptable. We should have had good water all this time.” Residents have been waiting for improvements since the village sold its water rights to Aqua Illinois decades ago. Mayor Joseph Roudez III is advocating to buy the rights back, but he acknowledges the financial hurdles involved.

David Carter, the president of Aqua Illinois, notes that runoff from agricultural fertilization has led to the elevated nitrate levels. While he insists the company is committed to clean water, he is skeptical about the feasibility of the village reclaiming its water rights.

Local officials have sought help from state leaders to address this long-standing problem. As issues pile up, community frustrations continue to rise, highlighting a growing demand for safer drinking water. The local situation reflects broader concerns in many U.S. communities about clean water access, emphasizing the need for reliable infrastructure and accountability from utility providers.

As water quality remains a vital issue, 2022 statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency revealed that nearly 45% of American rivers and streams failed to meet water quality standards, underscoring an urgent need for nationwide improvements.

For more details about water safety issues in the U.S., you can refer to the EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

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