Recent Flossmoor Water Samples Test False Positive for Bacteria

The following is a press release issued from the village of Flossmoor: 

This week, residents will receive in the mail a notice from the Village regarding the water supply. The notice is a requirement of the IEPA that informs residents that the Village had two of its ten monthly water samples in the month of October test positive for coliform (bacteria). These positive water samples were false positives; while bacteria were found in the water sample, it was the result of improper water sampling procedures made by human error. Repeat samples and the samples from the month of November were all clean as the result of proper sampling procedures being followed.

While the water is safe, the IEPA rules require the Village to send this notice to all residents. The notice contains a lot of important information from the IEPA and ultimately informs you that the water is safe; however, we recognize that the notice can be disconcerting to residents. As a result, we, the Village officials, are sending you this supplemental information.

The water is safe and is in no way contaminated, nor has it been. Again, Flossmoor water is safe today and has always been safe to drink. Until now, the Village has a long history of an excellent record with the IEPA as serving as the caretaker of our water system. The Village receives only a supply of Lake Michigan water (no well water) that is thoroughly and properly treated before it is consumed.

What happened is a human mistake in handling the water samples and for that, we sincerely apologize. The Village of Flossmoor takes the responsibility of the health, safety and care of our water system very seriously. We have taken measures to prevent this error from happening again, including increased supervision of the water sampling process.

Should you have further questions, please call the Public Works Director George Peluso at 708-957-4100 or the Village Manager, Bridget Wachtel at 708-798-2300.