Water Well Shut Down Due To 'Unregulated Chemicals'

LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL — Chemicals that can cause health issues after long-term exposure were found during recent testing of a well that provides public drinking water to residents in Lake in the Hills.

The well, known as Well 6, served homes and businesses east of Randall Road and northeast of Woods Creek Lane and has been taken out of service, village officials announced Wednesday.

The unregulated chemicals, perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) can cause adverse health effects after long-term exposure. Village officials say both of the chemicals detected fell below the Environmental Protection Agency’s health advisory levels.

But the well, which is located near Council Trail and Jessie Road, was still taken out of service. The well is one of two wells that serve 2,200 homes and businesses in the area east of Randall Road and northeast of Woods Creek Lake.

At this time, village officials say they do not know how the chemicals got into the well and public drinking supply. Water from Well 6 is not entering the system at this time, and none of the village’s other wells showed signs of PFAS, according to a news release.

Lake in the Hills routinely tests each of its wells to ensure they function within EPA
guidelines for regulated water systems. In addition to mandating the treatment of regulated chemicals, EPA guidelines also identify unregulated chemicals that may lack treatment guidelines but that agencies may be interested in monitoring.

With guidelines for treating unregulated PFAS still in development by the EPA, the village determined it was appropriate to take Well 6 out of service until further information becomes available.

More information is available on the Lake in the Hills website and the EPA website.