RESIDENTIAL WATER SURVEY IS COMING THIS MAY
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) requires every community water supplier to
develop and implement a cross-connection control program. Part of the program mandates surveying all
water customers in their distribution system every three years to identify and eliminate
cross-connections that could allow contaminants to flow back into the drinking water from unsafe
sources/connections such as fire protection sprinkler systems, boilers, lawn sprinklers and swimming
pools.
We are pleased to announce that the District has partnered with Backflow Solutions, Inc. (BSI) to
enhance our cross-connections control/backflow program. Thank you for your continuing commitment
to safeguarding Illinois’s water from backflow hazards.
URGENT NOTICE: The District needs your immediate assistance!
It has come to our attention that some people are tampering with the neighborhood fire hydrants and
using the water for non-emergency purposes. There have been multiple occurrences of unauthorized
use of fire hydrants in two specific locations, namely in front of 7941 W 127th Street and in front of 7900
W 129th Street. We kindly request all residents in the District to assist us in monitoring the use of these
and all other hydrants in the vicinity. Palos Fire Protection District is the only authorized user of our
fire hydrants, besides the District employees.
As we move into spring, we anticipate an increase in landscaping, pool openings, and construction
work. Therefore, we urge you to photograph or video document any identifying information that could
help identify those tampering with the hydrants. Please be assured that any information you provide
will be kept confidential and anonymous.”
It is critical to understand that unauthorized use of fire hydrants is a serious offense that steals water
from District residents. We strongly encourage you to report any suspicious activities to us
immediately. If you see something, say something. Together, we can make our community safer.
Contact the District office for more information. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.
South Palos Township
Sanitary District
8102 W 119th Street
Palos Park, Illinois 60464
708-448-3166 Clerk@southpalos.com
Board of Trustee meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month unless otherwise
announced. All meetings are held at the District Office and begin at 6:30 p.m.
Board of Trustees
Peter Costa
James Staszcuk
John Walsh
Water providers
Chicago,
Alsip,
Palos Heights
Average Water Usage
The table below lists the average daily water usage per family based on data supplied by the American
Water Works Association and Badger Water Meter Company. Your family’s actual water usage may
vary from these averages based on your habits and the season, especially during summer months.
Family size gallons per day gallons per week gallons per month
Construction Season
As a safety measure, permits are mandatory for all projects concerning sewer or water service line
repairs, new construction, demolition, and home addition projects that affect the service connection
to either the water or sewer service lines. This compliance is necessary to ensure that your project
follows the District Ordinance and protects the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
If you’re planning to undertake any of the aforementioned projects, you can find permit
applications on the District’s website www.southpalossanitarydist.com or at the District Office. You
will be required to provide a detailed letter of intent concerning the work to be done, a current copy
of the Illinois plumbers license, and the certificate of insurance of the plumbing company
performing the work, as well as detailed architectural drawings of the proposed project for review.
Remember, you must submit your residential water/sewer service permit applications to the District
before beginning the work. This requirement applies to repairs, new construction, or home
additions wherein the water or sewer service lateral is exposed or relocated, or if the water meter is
impacted in any way.
Water Meter Replacement Program Update
The District would like to express its gratitude to the residents for their cooperation with this
project. As of this update, 250 residential water meters have been replaced, putting us over the
halfway mark! The replacement process for water meters involves the District Billing Clerk
contacting each resident on a street-by-street basis to let them know that their street is next on the
list. The District’s Water Operator in Charge will then call to schedule an appointment at a
convenient time for the resident to have their meter replaced. To replace your water meter, it will
take approximately one hour. Your water meter can be found inside your home, usually in the
basement, utility room, or crawl space. We kindly request that the area around your water meter is
kept easily accessible and free of debris. Also, please make sure the shutoff valve is fully operable.
Again, thank you for helping us in getting a great head start on this IEPA mandated replacement
program.
1 70 490 2,100
2 140 980 4,200
3 210 1,470 6,300
4 280 1,960 8,400
5 350 2,450 10,500
6 420 2,940 12,600
7 490 3,430 14,700
8 560 3,920 16,800
Are Flushable Wipes Really Flushable?
NO! It is not advisable to flush anything besides toilet paper and natural waste down the toilet,
regardless of what the product label says. Although flushable wipes may be convenient and provide a
better cleaning experience for some people, if not disposed of properly, they can cause significant
damage to your home’s plumbing system. They can lead to a variety of issues, including sewer system
problems, sewer backups, and even burst pipes.
It is important to note that flushable wipes take much longer to dissolve in water compared to regular
toilet paper. This makes it risky to flush them down your toilet as they can easily clog your home
plumbing systems. Our plumbers strongly advise against flushing flushable wipes down the toilet for
two reasons.
 Firstly, while flushable wipes may pass through your toilet easily, they can remain intact further
down the pipes and cause a huge blockage which plumbers refer to as a “fatberg” or “ragging”.
 Secondly, since flushable wipe manufacturers in the United States are not legally required to pass
any tests, they can label any wipe as “flushable.” This means you could be flushing something that is
sure to cause a clog.
These wipes are typically made with synthetic materials, plastics or polyester, that won’t break down.
The synthetic material in these wipes is harmful to the environment and can cause harm to wildlife if
disposed of improperly. “Don’t worry, you can still use flushable wipes! Just remember, they’re not
actually flushable. So, please don’t flush them and help keep our system clear.
For Residents Relocating Out of the District.
The District Office Staff just wanted to remind you that you are responsible for paying your water and
sewer bills up to the date of closing. If you’re planning to move, please let us know in advance so we can
make arrangements accordingly. We also need your forwarding address if you’re eligible for water
meter deposit reimbursement. Once you’ve paid your final bill and everything is settled, we’ll be more
than happy to refund your deposit. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach
out to us. We wish you all the best in your new endeavor.
Attention Rental Property Owners,
Please be advised that regardless of what is stated in the lease agreement, the property owner of
record is responsible for paying all water and sewer bills. Therefore, it is important for property owners
to inform the District when their property will be rented and to provide a current mailing address. All
water/sewer bills will be sent to this address.
Please note that the District will not send water/sewer bills to renters residing in the District. Hence, it is
the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that their account is in good standing at all times.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Do We Have Your Current Contact Information?
The new billing system of the District has been operational for over a year and is performing extremely
well. This system can be further improved in the future. Nowadays, many of the residents do not have a
home phone, and it is possible that the contact number we have on file may have changed. Considering
this, the District office staff intends to update the resident accounts with updated contact numbers,
emergency numbers, and email addresses. We would be thankful if you could fill out the enclosed card
and send it back to us with your payment. Thank you so much for your support!
Payment Suggestion
The District Office understands that providing excellent customer service is of the utmost
importance to our residents. While we do not currently accept credit card or online payments, we
would like to suggest an alternative option. Residents can explore the possibility of setting up an
online payment program through an online bill pay service, which is offered by many banks and
credit unions. This method allows you to pay your bill directly from your financial institution’s
website, offering added convenience and peace of mind. The District Office receives your payment
from the bank in the form of a check. Moreover, many banks and credit unions guarantee on-time
payments and will reimburse late fees if necessary. We kindly encourage you to check with your
banking provider for further information on this service.
If you do not receive your invoice by the 20th, please contact the District office and we will gladly
provide you with a duplicate copy.