You turn on the faucet, fill a glass, and take a drink. It’s something you do dozens of times a day without a second thought — and that’s exactly how it should be. But behind every glass of water is a process that starts long before it ever reaches your home.
At EJ Water Cooperative, delivering clean, safe water to over 14,000 members across rural Illinois is what we do every single day. Here’s a look at the journey your water takes from source to tap — and the people and systems working behind the scenes to make sure it’s always there when you need it.
It Starts at the Source
Before water can be treated, it must be collected. EJ Water utilizes multiple sources for treatment. The Delbert Mundt Treatment Plant sources its water from the Kaskaskia River which provides an abundant source of surface water. A 250,000,000 gallon reservoir at the treatment plant adds sustainability for EJ members by providing a large amount of storage in the event of a prolonged drought. The Gila Treatment plant sources its water from deep underground wells that tap into natural aquifers beneath central Illinois. These underground sources provide a naturally filtered starting point, but raw water still contains minerals, sediment, and other naturally occurring elements that need to be addressed before it’s ready for your home.
Treatment: Where the Real Work Happens
Once sourced, water is sent to one of EJ Water’s 2 water treatment plants, where it goes through a carefully managed series of treatment steps. While the specifics can vary depending on the source and conditions, the general process includes:
Clarification — Before filtration, the treatment plants use a treatment method called clarification. Water passes through specifically designed conical vessels that utilize mixing, flocculation, and sedimentation to remove sediment and particles. This is also the treatment stage where lime softening occurs through PH adjustment to produce high quality softened water.
Filtration — Water passes through filtration systems designed to remove any remaining sediment, particles, and impurities. This is one of the most important steps in producing clean, clear water.
Disinfection — To eliminate harmful bacteria and microorganisms, water is disinfected using carefully controlled methods. This ensures the water is safe to drink when it arrives at your home — and stays safe as it travels through the distribution system.
pH and Mineral Adjustment — Water chemistry is adjusted to meet safe drinking water standards. This includes balancing pH levels and managing mineral content, which also helps protect the pipes that carry water throughout the system.
Every step of the treatment process is designed to meet or exceed the standards set by the Illinois EPA and the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
Testing: Quality You Can Count On
Treatment doesn’t end when the water leaves the plant. EJ Water operates a certified water lab that continuously tests and monitors water quality at multiple points across the system. Our lab team runs tests for a wide range of potential contaminants, bacteria, and chemical levels — not because we expect to find problems, but because our members deserve that level of certainty.
This isn’t a once-a-year check. Water quality testing is an ongoing, daily commitment. It’s one of the ways we make sure the water flowing to your tap meets the highest standards, every time.
Distribution: 3,257 Miles and Counting
Once treated and tested, water enters EJ Water’s distribution system — a network of over 3,257 miles of waterline stretching across rural Illinois. That’s a massive infrastructure system and maintaining it is a year-round job.
Our field crews monitor water pressure, inspect lines, repair breaks, flush hydrants, and perform routine maintenance to keep water moving reliably to every member on our system. Whether it’s a planned upgrade or an emergency repair at 2 a.m., our team is on it.
EJ Water also provides wholesale water to 20 partner communities, which means the water we treat doesn’t just serve our direct members — it supports entire towns and municipalities across the region.
The People Behind Your Water
What makes EJ Water different from a for-profit utility is the people. As a member-owned cooperative, every decision we make is driven by what’s best for the communities we serve, not shareholders or outside investors.
From the operators running the treatment plants, to the lab technicians testing water quality, to the field crews maintaining thousands of miles of waterline — there’s a dedicated team of professionals working every day to make sure you never have to worry about what’s in your glass.
Why It Matters
Most people don’t think about where their water comes from, and we take that as a compliment. It means the system is working the way it should. But we also believe our members deserve to know what goes into delivering the water they depend on — and to feel confident that it’s being handled with care.
Safe, reliable water is the foundation of quality of life in rural Illinois. At EJ Water, that’s not just a mission statement, it is our promise.
Have questions about your water quality or how our system works? We’re always happy to talk. Contact us at 217-925-5566 or visit ejwatercoop.com.
