How Clean Safe Drinking Water Enters Your Home
The Village of Oak Park’s Water & Sewer Division is responsible for the delivery of safe, potable water to residents and businesses in the Village and for fire suppression. The Village purchases Lake Michigan water from the City of Chicago, which is stored in underground reservoirs and pumped through 105 miles of water mains.
Residents receive treated water through a water service line. A water service line connects the public water main (usually under the street) to your home or business. Service line ownership is shared between the Village and property owners. The Village owns the portion of the service line from the public water main to the b-box/exterior shut-off valve, and the property owner owns the portion of the service line from the b-box/exterior shut-off valve to the water meter and into the building. After the water meter, the water flows through the building’s internal plumbing, which is the sole responsibility of the property owner.
Pipe Materials
Water distribution systems have existed for over 100 years. During that time, a variety of materials have been used for water service lines, including copper, plastic, galvanized steel and lead. In 1988, the federal government banned lead service lines and plumbing. Homes and buildings built before 1988 may be served by a lead service line.
