Hazelwood Heights Homeowners Association Meeting

January 29, 2004

Water System Report and Issues

  • EPA Status Report
  • Lead and Copper Testing and OCCT (Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment)

For several years the subdivision has submitting water samples from a selected group of households for purposes of EPA lead and copper monitoring. In order to meet the monitoring requirements we need to demonstrate through repeated sampling that at least 90% of households tested do not exceed the max. allowable limits for these constituents. If these requirements are met then a corrosion control treatment (OCCT) plan need not be implemented.

The last four sets of samples taken passed the lead and copper requirements; therefore, the subdivision can begin sampling fewer households (5 instead of 10) and will collect samples once every three years vs. once a year.

  • Annual Drinking Water Quality Report

(Consumer Confidence Report)

The 2003 Consumer Confidence Report (for year 2002) was submitted to the EPA last year and was approved without any issues. Copies are available upon request. The report contains useful information about measured constituents, health risks, etc. For 2003 there were no drinking water quality violations for our subdivision.

Arsenic

New legislation has been signed into law by President Bush requiring that, beginning in January 2006, all water supplies serving >25 households provide drinking water with an arsenic level below 10 ppb (parts per billion). The current laws allow a level of 50 ppb. As shown in the latest 2003 CCR (for year 2002) the arsenic level recorded for our subdivision measured 9.1 - 9.9 ppb. As long as we continue to measure below the 10 ppb level we will not need to implement a source water treatment to reduce the level of arsenic. However, since we are consistently close to the allowable limit, and have exceeded it in the past, the EPA is pressing us to take measures to reduce the arsenic levels. Generally this requires elaborate and expensive equipment as well as developing storage for, and facilitating removal of, hazardous waste.

In order to ensure long-term compliance with the new federal regulations our subdivision has joined forces with several other subdivisions along the Wolf Road corridor to investigate solutions to the problem. The goal of this study is to determine the feasibility of creating a rural water district, understand the short and long term cost impact of providing water, and eventually implement the most appropriate method(s) of dealing with the arsenic issue. A steering committee has been formed and engineering studies and legal activities are already under way. If a rural water district were eventually formed via voter approval of a referendum, the district would take on the responsibility of implementing a solution that best fits the needs of all current and future customers within the district. This solution might range from purchasing water from a municipal water supply like E. Moline, to installing a central water supply and treatment plant along the Wolf Road corridor, to implementing a local treatment solution for each water supply.

To learn more about the arsenic issue please check the EPA website for this topic at:

To learn more about the Wolf Road rural water supply activity you can logon to the Wolf Road Water Resources District web site:

The URL for the Wolf Road Water Resources District is located at:
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or contact Dathan Kerber, our subdivision’s representative on the steering committee.

The following table shows the arsenic readings that have been recorded for our subdivision well for the last 10 years. Measurements are in ug/l = parts per billion.

Date of Arsenic Measurement / Arsenic Level
11/17/1993 / 8.0
1/15/1994 / 10.6
5/05/1998 / 10.2
5/21/2001 / 9.5
7/16/2002 / 9.1
10/21/2002 / 9.9
1/07/2003 / 8.9
4/07/2003 / 10.0
7/15/2003 / 9.5
  • Radionuclide Monitoring

Our subdivision is required to participate in the Radionuclide testing program to test for the presence of gross alpha and radium-228 at each active entry point once during the monitoring period of September 2001 – December 2003. A $200 fee is required to be paid to complete this testing. Our well operator is collecting and submitting the samples required for this testing. Samples collected to date indicate that our source water does not exceed the maximum allowable levels for these constituents.

  • Source Water Assessment (SWA)

IEPA has completed a Source Water Assessment of our community water supply (CWS). The purpose of this assessment is to determine the vulnerability of our water supply to contamination by industry, farms chemicals, etc. According to the March 25, 2003 report supplied to us “there are no potential sources of contamination within 1000 ft. of the well”. The report also states “the Illinois EPA has determined that Hazelwood Heights Subdivision Community Water Supply’s source water is not susceptible to contamination”.

The assessment does recommend that three follow up actions be considered:

  1. Work with Henry County officials to enact a maximum setback zone ordinance which would limit the types of activity permitted within a 1000 ft. radius of the well. A minimum setback zone of 200 ft. is already in effect.
  1. Develop a emergency preparedness plan to minimize risk of being without safe and adequate water during emergencies
  1. Review the subdivision’s cross connection control program and update it as appropriate (currently no program is in place)

The SWA is required to be made public and attached to the 2003 CCR. Refer to your copy of this year’s CCR to review the complete assessment.

  • Water System Security and Threat Level Advisories

Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the EPA issued a Security Advisory Notice to all water supplies. Following are some of the recommendations being made:

The IEPA in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. EPA have developed a five tier Threat Level Advisory System to guide CWS’s in the implementation of security measures to be taken to protect their water supply against terrorist attacks. These recommendations provide direction on detection, preparedness, prevention and protection. The recommended level of security increases with the threat level. The level of adaptation by a water supply depends on the size, response plans and vulnerability of the water supply. The threat levels are color-coded from green (lowest threat level), through blue, yellow, orange and red (highest threat level). Our subdivision has yet to develop a comprehensive threat response plan to protect our water supply.

Water System Condition and Maintenance

Both the main well and backup well pumps were last replaced in May of 1999. It is estimated that the main well pump will need to be replaced again within the next one – two years. Cost of replacement is approximately $10,000.

The main pump was pulled in December to repair a leaking pipe at which time we replaced several sections of corroding pipe.

To keep the level of iron build-up in our distribution system to an acceptable level, flushing of the system will be continued on a six to eight week interval. Anyone needing information regarding suppliers of iron filtration systems can contact Culligan, Mid-State Technologies, Johnson H2O or Water Systems, Inc.

The well house tanks will continue to be flushed and cleaned twice per year, in the spring and fall. The next flushing will be in April. The tanks are in generally good condition but a few “hot spots” have been noted in recent cleanings. Plans are to have an inspector check these spots during the next cleaning to determine if repairs are needed at this time. Repainting the inside of the tanks might be necessary to extend tank life and prevent further deterioration.

Repairs that have been made in the last six months include:

  • Pull pump at well no. 1 for inspection
  • Replace corroded pipes from pump
  • Replace main electrical relay damage due to voltage spike in wind storm
  • Some tree trimming to prevent plugging of gutters
  • Downspout and gutter maintenance
  • Repair fascia damage due to wind storms

Repairs that need to be made:

  • New gutters or gutter support straps are needed (have contacted Larry Gillespie Hazelwood Homes – waiting quotes and time schedule)
  • New downspouts and supports – same
  • Trim or remove fir trees/stumps and replace with more attractive looking trees/shrubs – have contacted Dave Dereu and he will be providing quotes in near future
  • Complete repairs of upstairs flooring
  • Complete upstairs installation of chlorine and fluoride tanks, feed lines and water supply – will coordinate with well operator
  • Install ventilation system with remote/outdoor control switch
  • Paint downstairs tanks, floor, walls and stairs
  • Replace main door, install improved locking/security system
  • Repair or replace flushing hydrant in Cedar Court cul-de-sac (freezes in winter)
  • Install new line coupler between backup well and main distribution system in Hazelwood Homes well pit
  • Repair lawn damage at Gillespie property due to crane and trucks – Dave Dereu to complete in spring – cost $300.
Engineering Inspection

An engineering inspection by the EPA Rockford office was conducted last summer. An engineering report and non-compliance advisory were sent to our subdivision. The water supply is not in violation of any statues however several recommendations were made for improving our system and monitoring practices.

These include:

  • Add screens to chlorine and fluoride vent tubes (not done)
  • Install chemical treatment system or iron removal equipment to remove iron (waiting on outcome of rural water district vote)
  • More frequent monitoring of chlorine levels to three times per week (done)
  • Increase the number of raw samples submitted for testing each month from one to two (done)
  • Apply for a vulnerability waiver (not done)
  • Painting of the exterior of the storage tanks – some rust noted
  • Installation of an arsenic removal system (waiting on outcome of rural water district vote)
  • Installation of a new back-up well with capacity to supply the entire subdivision (waiting on outcome of rural water district vote)
  • Develop and adapt a cross-connection control rule or statute (working on wording of document)
  • Install 4 inch dia. mains (the engineer was incorrectly informed by the well operator that our mains are 3 inch in dia. Minimum allowed is 4 inch dia. – done)
Well Operator

In December the subdivision hired a new well operator, Merle Loete, to take the place of Keith Himmelman who elected to retire after suffering a heart attack in October. Mr. Himmelman served our subdivision for 16 years as well operator, including while recovering from his heart attack. In recognition of his service and to show our appreciation to Mr. Himmelman I have recommended to the board that we award Mr. Himmelman by allotting him 6 months salary ($225/month x 6 = $1350). We can pay this in a lump sum or over the course of the year. This allotment would also help to defer his new medical costs.

Transfer of Water Commissioner Duties

As a result of increased amounts of business travel and the possibility of having to relocate for work I would like to start the process of transferring water commissioner duties over to another person. If someone is interested in assuming the water commissioner duties please let me know and we can begin the transfer process.

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Gessel HHHA Water Commissioner

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