Frequently Asked Questions

Any home improvement store

Yes. The property owner, or their representative, must be present to allow the construction crew access to fenced areas.

No. However, it does need to be constructed in accordance with the Illinois Plumbing Code and EJ reserves the right to inspect the work.

The contractor is responsible for clean-up when the project is complete. It will be several months after construction of the water main before clean up begins. It is necessary to allow ground to settle before leveling. Lawns are re-seeded and gravel is replaced in driveways. EJ will monitor the clean up, and we will do everything possible to facilitate the process. We will appreciate your patience as the clean up is being done. Individuals who have signed an easement are entitled to crop damage, but it is the property owner’s responsibility to file a brief claim for the crop damage with the EJ Water office.

EJ Water pays for crop damage due to any construction or maintenance of the water main. We have a brief form that the landowner or farmer uses to fill in the crop loss information which can be found under Forms and Documents. Crop damage payments have historically been higher than market prices.

EJ’s right-of-way easement generally starts where the public right-of-way ends, usually 20 feet from the center of the road. EJ’s easement will most likely encompass the next 20 feet; however, when laying the water main, EJ tries to stay within the first five feet of private property. Our 20-foot easement, in most situations, does allow us enough room to install the water main. A wider easement may be requested in order to avoid obstacles such as large trees, and to minimize damage. A right-of-way easement is only necessary where the water main is located; access to the water meters and service lines are included in the user’s contract.

The contractor is not allowed to cut or remove fences without the property owner’s permission. In most cases the contractor will backhoe under the fence. If a fence has to be removed it will be replaced to as good or better condition. In any event the property owner should be notified before any fences are removed

The contractor is not allowed to cut or remove fences without the property owner’s permission. In most cases the contractor will backhoe under the fence. If a fence has to be removed it will be replaced to as good or better condition. In any event the property owner should be notified before any fences are removed.

Thermal expansion occurs when water is heated during non-use periods. A closed system leaves the water with no room for expansion which can be dangerous. To eliminate this we require the installation of expansion tanks to give the water a place to go when thermal expansion occurs.

The meter needs to be located where it can be easily read by our Orion Reading System. (a radio read computer that reads from a vehicle on the road). The meter should be readily accessible by our servicemen and vehicles, preferably within 10 to 20 feet of the driveway. The meter, in most cases, may be placed anywhere on the property adjacent to the water main or adjacent to the property line.

The property owner is responsible for connecting a service line from their meter to the home.We have a licensed plumber on staff to provide services to install this water line, but you may choose another licensed plumber if you would like.