Frequently Asked Questions About Marseilles, IL Water Systems

The City of Marseilles is aware of questions that have been raised regarding the quality of the City’s drinking water. We first want to assure our residents that the treatment of water follows strict standards that are set by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). For individuals who have been directed by other community members to utilize water testing kits that are not approved by the IEPA, please note these tests can provide false and/or inaccurate results. However, in an abundance of caution, the City has been working directly with the IEPA who also recently tested City water samples and found that water samples are deemed safe per IEPA standards. This testing was done in addition to daily and weekly tests conducted by IEPA Certified City Water Operators employed by the City as an ongoing best practice. 

**The official report from this most recent IEPA testing will be published on this web page as soon as it is made available to the City by the IEPA, which is expected no later than January 15, 2025. To learn more about the due diligence conducted by the City’s Water System Operators to ensure City drinking water is safe, please visit this link. 

Please see answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) below, and if you have further questions, please call 815-795-2133 or email cityclerk@cityofmarseilles.com. Thank you.

Answer:

Yes. Through daily and weekly testing, IEPA Certified Water Operators have found that water quality is within the limits of being safe to drink, as dictated by the IEPA.

Answer:

Yes, but please be aware that testing kits that are not approved by the IEPA can produce false and/or inaccurate results. Additionally, in-home tests can be difficult to conduct, and if conducted incorrectly, can also provide false positives/inaccurate results.

Answer:

Please contact the IEPA for resources at 217-782-3397

Answer:

The City provides regular updates about water testing. The ongoing reports will be available here. 

Answer:

Please visit the City’s water systems page here for more information on how water quality is monitored. 

Answer:

The City follows strict regulations that are set forth by the IEPA. Learn more here. 

The City tests for radium and iron. The IEPA tests for any other contaminants. If there were ever to be a cause for concern, residents would be notified immediately, as required by City protocols, as well as those dictated by the IEPA.

Answer:

Please report any suspected contamination to Kirk Bergstrom, IEPA Supervisor, by calling 815-987-7015. 

There have been no recent reports of contamination that were found to be accurate or substantiated, based on guidelines set forth by the IEPA. 

Answer:

There have been no recent reports of contamination that were found to be accurate or substantiated, based on guidelines set forth by the IEPA. 

Answer:

Yes, chlorination is used, and yes, it is determined to be safe based on IEPA standards.

Answer:

Home water filters are recommended for any water source (in any city of village) as an additional precaution. Please ensure that if you utilize a home water filter, it is properly maintained. 

Answer:

The City issues boil orders if water pressure falls under 20 PSI (pounds per square inch) and then proceeds to conduct testing for any bacteria. Boil orders will not be lifted until testing concludes that the water is free of bacteria.

Answer:

Yes, as is required by the Illinois Department of Public Health and Safety.

Answer:

The City provides regular updates about water testing. The ongoing reports will be available here.

As noted above, if you have additional questions that are not answered in this FAQ, please contact the City at 815-795-2133 or email cityclerk@cityofmarseilles.com.

Public Works Water Systems

  • Daily samples are taken, Monday through Sunday are collected and tested from the South Water tower, a centralized sample station in the Timbers Edge Subdivision, Pacific Street water reservoir, the Best St. Well and 10th St. Wells.

  • Tests are completed in house by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Certified water operators. All testing equipment must be approved by the EPA.
  • Monthly samples are collected by properly trained water operators and taken to an EPA certified laboratory for testing.
  • Dead end fire hydrants are routinely flushed to maintain water quality.
  • Employees must take a college course to be Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Certified water operators.

Recent Water Test Reports

24120013 TestInc FINAL

20241204 RPT 01

24120014 TestInc FINAL 20241204 RPT 01

24120015 TestInc FINAL 20241204 RPT 01

24120028 TestInc FINAL 20241209 RPT 01

24120029 TestInc FINAL 20241209 RPT 01

NovemberWell42024

NovemberWell52024

NovemberWell62024