The Village of Fox Lake IL started its first public water system in 1928.
Today, the city has 5 wells that can produce up to 1,000,000 gallons of water a day.
Many of the wells are treated with Iron Filters to reduce total iron to acceptable levels. Chlorine, polyphosphates, and fluoride are added to the filtered water supplies.
In 1972, a seperate water treatment plant was added for Talls Oaks (known as the Fox Lake Water System #2). This additional water system now produces up to 400,000 gallons of water per day.
Fox Lake IL Water Hardness
Like many communities in Illinois, Fox Lake water hardness is rated as extremely high by the USGS.
Hardness levels range from 30-35gpg. That means a family of 4 would be faced with 469-548lbs of dissolved rock each year!
A reliable, professional-grade water softener like our E3 Water Softener line would be a good start to protect your home. An even better choice would be our HFE Water Softener line. A high efficiency water softener can save easily save 100’s lbs. of salt with such high levels of hard water.
Fox Lake IL Water Quality Reports
The wells that supply Fox Lake and Tall Oaks with water can change from year-to-year. We have gathered the following reports to so you can see “what’s in your water”:
2011 Fox Lake Annual Water Quality Report
2011 Tall Oaks Water Quality Report
The contaminants in these reports have been listed by category below. All contaminants are within Legal Limits. Water contaminants that exceed the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG), aka Health Limit, have been highlighted below:
Inorganic Contaminants in Fox Lake Drinking Water
Inorganics include salts and metals like hard water and copper. Inorganics are mostly consumed through drinking water, and do not pass through skin. A Reverse Osmosis System is very effective at removing inorganic contaminants.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | 0.12 | 2ppm | 2 | Increase in blood pressure |
| Hardness | 30 – 35 | NA gpg | NA | Increased energy consumption, damage to plumbing, appliances, fixtures, clothing |
| Iron | 0.62 | NA ppm | 0.3 | Increased energy consumption, damage to plumbing, appliances, fixtures, clothing |
| Manganese | 63 – 85 | 50ppb | 50 | Black staining, decreased IQ in children |
| Nitrate | 0.72 | 10ppm | 10 | Shortness of breath, “blue baby syndrome” |
| Selenium | 2 | 50ppb | 50 | Hypertension |
Organic Contaminants in Fox Lake IL Drinking Water
Organics can be natural, or manmade. Many organic chemicals easily pass through the skin, and make a Whole House Carbon Filter or a DMT Hybrid System a good preventative tool.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cis 1,2 – Dichloroethylene | 0 – 1 | 70ppb | 70 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) | 0.42 – 1.0 | NA ppb | 9000 | Increased risk of cancer, inhalation poses highest risk |
| 1,1,1 Trichloroethane | 0.23 – 2.5 | 200ppb | 200 | Liver problems, increased risk of cancer |
Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts
Disinfectants are added to kill bacteria. A new class of compounds are formed when disinfectants like chlorine react with other water contaminants. Many of these enter the body through inhalation, absorption through skin, and through drinking water. The DMT Hybrid System or a Whole House Carbon Filter would offer a good layer of protection for your home and family.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | 0.28 – 0.5 | 4.0ppm | 4 | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
| Haloacetic Acids | 4.8 | 0ppb | 60 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Total Trihalomethanes | 16 – 28 | 0ppb | 80 | Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer |
Radionucliides
Radionucliides can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. These can be inhaled, or consumed through drinking water.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Emitters | 0.38 – 1.5 | 0pCi/L | 15 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Combined Radium | 1.09 – 2.45 | 0pCi/L | 5 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Uranium | 0.298 – 0.49 | 0pCi/L | 30 | Increased risk of cancer |
This information was compiled from City Water Quality Reports, the EPA, Illinois Department of Health, and the Environmental Working Group. Please contact us if any contaminants are missing, or levels that differ from those outlined on this page.