Every August, National Water Quality Month gives communities across the country a chance to pause and think about something most of us take for granted: the water coming out of the tap.
For a lot of people, water quality is invisible. You turn on the faucet, fill a glass, and move on with your day. But behind that simple act is a lot of work happening around the clock so you never have to think twice about what you’re drinking.
At EJ Water, water quality isn’t something we celebrate once a year. It’s the foundation of everything we do. But this month feels like a good time to pull back the curtain on what water quality actually means and what we do every day to protect it.
What Does “Water Quality” Actually Mean?
Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, and biological condition of water. Essentially, what’s in it and whether it’s safe for human use.
Safe drinking water must meet standards set by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act, which establishes maximum allowable levels for contaminants ranging from bacteria and nitrates to lead and chlorine byproducts. In Illinois, the Illinois EPA oversees compliance. EJ Water works closely with state regulators to ensure our water consistently meets, and in many cases exceeds, those requirements.
How EJ Water Protects Your Water
EJ Water operates two water treatment plants serving our 19-county service area. Before water reaches your tap, it goes through a multi-step treatment process designed to remove contaminants and meet every applicable safety standard.
Ongoing testing is just as important as treatment. Our certified water lab collects and analyzes samples from throughout the distribution system — not just at the plant, but across the thousands of miles of waterline that carry water to your home. When something in a sample looks unusual, our team investigates immediately. That’s the system working the way it’s supposed to.
Our lab also provides testing services to other utilities across the region, which means our team stays sharp and our standards stay high.
Find Your Water Quality Report
Every year, EJ Water publishes an Annual Water Quality Report that gives members a detailed look at what’s been found in their water and how it compares to federal and state standards. It’s written to be readable, not just regulatory.
You can find the most recent report at https://ejwatercoop.com/water-quality-reports. Understanding your water is part of being an informed member-owner of this cooperative.
Why It Matters Here
Safe, reliable water has not always been a given in rural Illinois. Before cooperative water systems expanded across the region, many rural families relied on private wells or hauled water from other sources, with little ability to monitor or maintain quality.
That’s part of the reason EJ Water was built, and why we’ve spent more than 35 years growing our system and investing in the people and technology that keep water quality where it needs to be. Today, we serve over 77,800 people across 3,257 miles of waterline. Every mile represents a family, a farm, or a community that now has water they can count on.
Water quality is not a checkbox for us. It’s a commitment.
A Few Simple Steps This Month
- Read your water quality report at https://ejwatercoop.com/water-quality-reports/. If anything raises a question, give us a call.
- Check your home plumbing. EJ Water delivers quality water to your meter, but older fixtures inside the home can sometimes affect what comes out of the tap. A licensed plumber can help if you have concerns.
- Run your tap after extended non-use. If a faucet hasn’t been used in a while, let it run for a minute or two to clear any stagnant water sitting in your pipes.
- Call us if something seems off. Unusual taste, odor, or color is always worth reporting. We’d rather hear from you and rule things out.
Questions about your water quality? Reach us at ejwatercoop.com or 217-925-5566.
EJ Water Cooperative — Improving the Quality of Life the Cooperative Way.
