News Releases - 2001

Illinois EPA To Hold Public Meeting in Downers Grove About Groundwater Investigation

Springfield, Ill. -- The Illinois EPA and other participants are conducting a Public Availability Session on Thursday, October 11, 2001, to give the citizens of the Downers Grove area an opportunity to meet with state and local officials and other professionals to discuss the ongoing groundwater investigation in the area. Information will be available about results of recent private water well samples.

Two sessions will be held at the Downers Grove Public Works office, 5010 Walnut Street, Downers Grove. The first session will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and the second will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Those interested may attend either session. The sessions will be an open house format, without formal presentations. Citizens may attend at their convenience to talk with representatives from the various organizations, on a one-on-one basis. Results from the most recent round of private well sampling can also be discussed individually with affected residents. The Illinois EPA will also accept information about possible sources of the contamination.

Participating in the Availability Session will be: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Village of Downers Grove, DuPage County, Illinois Department of Public Health, Water Quality Association of Lisle and the Illinois EPA.

In recent months, the Illinois EPA has been sampling water from private wells in the area for evidence of volatile organic compounds. These findings brought investigators into southwest Downers Grove. The tests are being conducted to gather important data about these wells as the Agency investigates any source or sources of contamination.

Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano said "I encourage residents in the Downers Grove test area to attend one of these sessions or to contact the Agency to arrange to have their well tested. The Illinois EPA wants to determine which residential wells are contaminated so the extent of contamination can be defined and sources can be determined. This way, residents can be apprised of potential health risks and advised of protective measures."

Preliminary results from the September 2001 sampling show contamination in an area south of Maple Street and east of Belmont. This is an extension of the main study area of July 2001. Of the 169 samples taken, more than 60 percent showed contamination with solvent chemicals above the recommended federal standards for public drinking water supplies. Affected residents have been contacted by Illinois Department of Public Health, but are encouraged to attend an availability session for additional information. Another round of sampling is scheduled for the week of October 16 through 18.

Related Information

• Office of Community Relations Fact Sheets
  • Downers Grove Groundwater Contamination Investigation
  • Area Map