High nitrate levels found in south suburban drinking water, infants at risk, officials warn

UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- A warning has been issued for unhealthy drinking water in multiple towns in the south suburbs, which is especially dangerous for infants.

The village of University Park was in action Sunday as they were trying to overcome the high nitrate levels that have made it unsafe to drink the water. Officials did a water distribution, which they continue to do until the order is lifted.

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Testing done by Aqua Illinois found 11.9mg/L nitrate levels in University Park, Illinois drinking water, health officials said Sunday.

The federal drinking level standard nitrate level is 10mg/L.

There was growing frustration Sunday for people living in University Park. It's one of several villages experiencing water issues, including Peotone and parts of Kankakee.

Aqua Illinois alerted the municipalities about elevated nitrate levels in the Kankakee River, which they say was caused by recent rainfall and spring agricultural fertilization.

"Its extremely frustrating, and people will never trust Aqua water again," University Park Mayor Joseph Roudez III said.

Roudez said the village has been dealing with all sorts of water issues for years now, including a recent problem with lead being found in the water.

The U.S. EPA and Aqua Illinois issued the following warnings:

- Do NOT give tap water to infants under six months sold.

- Do NOT use tap water to mix infant formula.

- Boiling water will NOT reduce nitrate levels, in fact, it may make them worse.

The elevated nitrate levels are causing more concern than the lead problem, as it's specifically unhealthy for infants under 6 months old.

Aqua is alerting people to not use that water for baby formula, but the mayor believes the water is not safe for anyone else either.

"If its not good for our young people its not good for any of our residents," Roudez said. "Unfortunately, this covers the entire community of University Park."

Mayor Roudez said he's reaching out to Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Attorney General for more help in rebuilding the village's water infrastructure. He said University Park sold that infrastructure to Aqua in the 1980s, and now he wants to buy it back.

"If they're really concerned about people give us the opportunity to buy the water back the water infrastructure back as they bought it from us in 1980, and give us the opportunity to bring fresh clear drinking water to our residents," Roudez said.

Meanwhile, residents are making the best of what they have, with water distribution happening Sunday in University Park. It's something they told ABC7 they're tired of doing while many are uncertain how long the order will remain in effect.

"Very frustrating, because I used to be able to drink from the sink, but now I can't do that anymore," University Park resident Rendan Brown said.

"We have had an issue with the water since we've been here sadly," University Park resident Delaree Medley said. "The bad thing about it is we'll go through a phase where they say the water is better, then it'll go back to a phase where its not good... that's kinda problematic."

Aqua Illinois shared the following statement with ABC7:

"Recent rainfall combined with spring agricultural fertilization resulted in an unprecedentedincrease of nitrate levels in the Kankakee River. Aqua Illinois' priority is the health andsafety of our customers with infants. Our team acted quickly after being alerted of elevated levels inthe first sample, testing additional samples to verify the elevated nitrate levels. Onceverified through EPA-approved methods, Aqua Illinois moved swiftly to notify ourcustomers, local leaders, and health officials of the risk to infants under 6 months old. Wewill continue to provide updates and will alert our customers when they can resumenormal use of their drinking water. We appreciate our customers patience andunderstanding as we work diligently to address this issue."

Aqua is going to be handing out bottled water in University Park every day from 12 to 7 p.m. until the unsafe water order is lifted. The mayor said he's trying to do everything possible to fix the issue temporarily, and permanently in the long run.