Water quality, especially through the well water and septic tank experience, in Chicago, is a very hot topic. And I will help you dig deeper into the waters.

Today I’m going to discuss Chicago water quality and more about well water and septic tanks. This is a topic first raised by Noemi, one of our subscribers. Noemi, thanks so much for watching and I wish you the best of luck! Having lived and worked in Barrington now for the last couple of years, I have become very familiar with that subject - from both a real estate agent and a homeowner's point of view. 

If you are considering a house with well and septic, it is very important that your agent is familiar with these types of systems and can properly guide you and connect you with a reputable company to conduct an inspection of the systems prior to closing.

Before we discuss the well water vs city water experience, let me first walk through the state of Chicago’s water quality.

How safe is Chicago drinking water?

Chicago's tap water is sourced from Lake Michigan, one of the world's largest lakes. At depths of 20 to 30 feet, water from Lake Michigan enters the intake crib. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Chicago Department of Water Management both state that the water in Chicago is safe to drink. 

Although in their latest report, the EWG found 12 cancer-causing contaminants above healthy limits in Chicago’s drinking water, they concur that the Chicago government is working hard to deliver over a billion gallons of clean drinking water a day. In Chicago, drinking waters undergo several different methods of water treatment, including Coagulation and Flocculation, Sedimentation, Filtration, and Disinfection (through chlorine).

20% of Chicago residents prefer to drink bottled water. But if one really thinks about it, it’s really a waste of money. Almost half of the bottled water is actually just filtered tap water.

Now that you know a bit about Chicago water quality, let me show you the differences of well water vs city water experience.

Well Water vs City Water

Well Water

Homes supplied with well water have built a well inside or outside of their home, reaching a subsurface aquifer by drilling into the ground. After that, the water is piped into the house. A house with a well can use either the city's sewer system or a septic system.

Pros:

• No water bill
• Water is usually fresh with nutrients and minerals
• Water is usually protected from harmful contamination

Cons:

• Harder than city water
• Water can be contaminated if not protected
• You are responsible for repairs and maintenance in case of damages
• Water is dependent on electricity

City Water

If the city provides water to your home, it means that the city collects the water, purifies it, and then pipes it to your home.

Water supplied by the City of Chicago Department of Water Management exceeds existing and proposed water quality standards established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Pollution Control Board.

Pros:

• It is the city’s responsibility to provide maintenance and regular good service 
• Water availability is everywhere

Cons:

• Water is less fresh due to some additives to preserve it
• Water bills can be expensive
• Water can be contaminated on a larger scale

While the advantage of city water and sewer is little to no maintenance, it does come with a bill every month from the municipality. Having your own septic and well eliminates that monthly bill from coming, but it does come with regular maintenance costs and the occasional repair. 

Based on my experience, the cost of both options tends to even themselves out in the short term, but long term expenses the well and septic systems are probably going to be a little more expensive when major repairs are taken into account. Also, well water tends to be a little harder than city water, which is processed. However, with a good water softener system, you will hardly notice the difference. 

And when it comes to real estate properties, choosing whether to have city water or well water experience makes a huge difference. Having city water and sewer usually means having a city lot - with squared boundaries and close neighbors. Houses with sewer and septic tend to have bigger and more unique lots - which allows for more of a suburban feel with more room and flexibility to enjoy outdoor living. 

Well Water Testing

If you do choose to use well water for your home, you need to have it regularly tested through your local health departments. For starters, here are the different tests on water quality for Chicago residents:

1. Test once a year for bacteria 

First, you should test your well water at least once a year for bacteria and every 3-5 years for other contaminants. To assess bacterial safety, drinking water is tested for a group of "indicator bacteria" called coliform bacteria. Doing this can help health officials check and analyze accurately the frequency of disease-causing microbes in your area. When coliform bacteria are found in well water, the water should be boiled before being used for drinking or cooking, and the well should be disinfected.

2. Test for nitrate, especially before giving to infants

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency says, “Nitrate is a common contaminant in Illinois groundwater. An elevated level of nitrate is often caused by septic systems, manure storage areas, feedlots, or farm fields near the well. Wells vulnerable to nitrate contamination include shallow sand point wells and large diameter dug or bored wells and wells with damaged, leaking casing or fittings. Well water containing nitrate at levels above the maximum contaminant level established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is 10 milligrams per liter as nitrogen, should never be given to infants less than 6 months old because it can cause a potentially fatal disease called "blue baby syndrome." In many cases, constructing a deeper well can reduce or eliminate a nitrate problem. If you know or suspect, that your well water may contain high levels of nitrate, do not boil the water, as this will only concentrate nitrate levels.”

3. Test for VOCs, pesticides, radium

Lead, arsenic, mercury, radium, atrazine, other pesticides, and VOCs might be in your drinking water. If you live in an urban or suburban area with a business, industry or gas station nearby, the Illinois EPA and IDPH recommend that you have your water tested for VOCs. Also, wells in rural areas that may be affected by leaking fuel tanks should test for VOCs. Radium has been detected in private wells and can only be identified through testing of the water. To find out if your well water has contaminants, go contact your local health department or the EPA. 

Problem with Chicago's sewerage system

There is a big, grim problem with Chicago’s sewerage system. Most sewer systems in Chicago were constructed more than a century ago. This was before the invention of wastewater treatment. In fact, local sewer systems were meant to discharge sanitary waste and a small quantity of stormwater straight into rivers. So there is a high risk of contamination, wherein the wastewater may flow into people's homes.

Stormwater may enter sewers quicker than it can flow through them, surpassing their flow capacity, when a lot of rain falls in a concentrated region over a short period of time. When this occurs, some of the combined sewage is unable to reach the MWRD's tunnels and reservoirs, as well as the waterway, in a timely manner. As a result, it has the potential to back up into streets and unprotected basements. 

These problems with Chicago’s sewers make getting a septic tank and system very appealing. So that’s where we’re going now. 

Septic System

A septic system is an on-site wastewater treatment system. Its centerpiece is the septic tank.

What is a septic tank?

A septic tank is an underground sedimentation tank that is used to treat wastewater through biological breakdown and drainage. It's also a watertight underground container (usually rectangular or spherical) composed of fiberglass, plastic, or concrete. It treats wastewater from your home’s plumbing such as bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry using natural processes and proven technology. 

So how does it work?

Septic tanks decompose organic matter while separating floatable stuff (such as oils and grease) and particles from wastewater. It will be linked by two pipes (for inlet and outlet). After a period, wastewater will split into three layers: the top layer contains oils and grease and floats above all the waste, the middle layer contains wastewater and waste particles, and the bottom layer contains particles that are heavier than water and forms a layer of sludge.

But septic tanks don’t work perfectly all the time, and that’s the reality on the ground. So what do you need to find if your septic tank and system need fixing?

Signs of a problem in the septic system

Here are some conditions that could signal something wrong in your septic system.

1. Septic System Backup

Your septic system is connected to every plumbing appliance in your home. Sewage and wastewater will no longer enter the tank if your septic system malfunctions or is full. Instead, it will remain in the pipes until it emerges. Sewage and wastewater back up into sinks, drains, and even your toilet as a result of this. The most obvious indicator of septic tank failure is this.

2. Slow Drains

Slow drains might also be caused by a septic tank failure. When a septic tank is full, for example, it will not actively collect wastewater. This implies that your pipes will be filled with sewage, preventing your plumbing appliances from draining. Your drains will become naturally slow to drain water or other liquids as a result of this. You won't be able to unclog your drain no matter what tools you employ because the root problem is in the septic tank.

3. Dampness near the drain field

A septic tank that has failed will no longer be able to absorb wastewater. This means that wastewater will seep out of the ground naturally. It can result in a huge pool of wastewater near the drain field or dampness in the area. These are the most obvious indications of a failing septic system. This is especially suspicious, especially if it hasn't rained in days.

4. Unpleasant Smell

The appearance of foul odors near the drain field and plumbing appliances is another symptom of septic system failure. If you notice strong, unpleasant scents when you step outside and into your grass, your septic tank is most likely failing. If you have the same nasty odors in your home, you can come to the same conclusion. These foul scents indicate the presence of sewage that has risen over the drain field and entered your main drain line.

5. Presence of algae in nearby water

When a huge amount of algae forms in a pool of water, it is called an algal bloom. They're strange and appear to have been heavily tainted by algae. The presence of wastewater might contribute to algal development that is abnormal.

So how can you ensure the efficiency of your septic system? The answer is simple - regular maintenance and proper operation. 

How to keep your septic system working properly

First, you should make sure that your septic system has been correctly designed, sited, and installed. And the rest is up to you for regular maintenance. 

Here are some tips we recommend for everyone to have not just a working septic system, but also enjoy safe drinking water always.

1. When you buy a house, get complete design and maintenance records from the seller.
2. Annually inspect your system and pump as needed (usually every 3-5 years). 
3. Avoid wasting water and be careful what you flush down the toilet and down the drain. This means no grease, no strong chemicals, no old medicines, no sanitary napkins, no paper towels, no wet wipes, no diapers, and all such things.
4. Repair leaky toilets and dripping faucets.
5. Don’t connect foundation sump pumps to your septic system.
6. Install a lint trap on your washing machine.
7. Locate the absorption field of your septic system as far away as possible from surface water to reduce the risk of it being a source of water contamination.

Now you may be asking. Why should a homeowner in Chicago care about water quality?

Why should Chicago homeowners care about water quality?

Drinking water of high quality is critical to our health and well-being. Every day, we use water in our homes for cooking, cleaning, bathing, laundry, and a variety of other activities. Water is required for most of the products we buy and consume in some form. As a result, it is critical that we, as homeowners, take care of the water quality and other systems responsible for keeping our water fresh, given our extensive use of water in everything.

All things considered, drinking water in Chicago is generally safe. If you have any concerns with water quality, you should have your water tested regularly - whether it’s well water or city water. Given the underlying issues of Chicago’s sewerage system, having a septic tank in your home would be a great choice. And I highly recommend you consult with your realtor and local health department for further information on your community’s water quality.