Water & Sewer

The goal of the Water & Sewer Department is to exceed customer expectations and meet all the State and Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations regarding drinking water, maintaining adequate fire flows and insure our residents the distribution system and water quality are all of the highest possible level using the latest technology. 

Responsibilities

The Water & Sewer Department is responsible for the maintenance and operation of all sewer and water systems owned or operated by the City or located within the boundaries of the City and related matters. We provide service thru 76.5 miles of interconnected water mains. The department maintains and utilizes 3 pumping stations, 2 elevated water tanks and 3 ground storage tanks. Crews are on call 24/7 to respond to water emergencies. Calls to the main number (708-361-1806) are answered 24 hours a day.

Please see our 2022 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report (CCR)  for details on the City’s testing and compliance results.

The sanitary sewer collection system is maintained by the Water & Sewer Department crews.  There is a total of 61.2 miles of the sanitary sewer collection system which is supplemented by nine (9) pumping stations. The city transfers the sewerage over to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) for treatment. 

Homeowners and business owners are responsible for  their sanitary service line from the home/building to the point of connection of the city’s main line.

Restoration of Water and Sewer Repairs

When making a repair to a water or sewer main because of a break in the pipe, it is sometimes necessary to dig up a portion of the resident’s property. After the repair is completed, it is the responsibility of the Water & Sewer Department to restore the excavated site. Restoration usually is preformed 8 to 12 weeks after the repair is completed to allow time for the ground to settle and fill in the area created by the excavation. If the repair occurs in the fall or winter, the restoration will not be done until the next spring. When the restoration is completed, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to water the restored area until the sod is established.

Please note that City workers will never ask to work inside of your house without scheduling an appointment with you. They will also be carrying proper identification to verify that they work for the City of Palos Heights. If you have any suspicions as to the authenticity of workers, call the police department at 708-448-5060.

Water Discoloration?

Discoloration is usually rust or mineral deposits from aging pipes. The situation is most often caused by plumbing work that requires shutting off the water at the meter or outside the home.  It is not harmful, but is aesthetically unpleasant. The type of material used in home plumbing can also cause discoloration of the water, especially if discoloration continues over a  period of time. 

Discoloration may also be caused by disturbances in the main water line during a water main break, construction, or maintenance activity like hydrant flushing. If a Public Works Crew or City Contractors are working in your area and shut off service, you may notice a reddish or rusty tinge when the water is restored. Let the cold water run for a minute and the discoloration should pass. Do not use hot water to clear the discoloration. This will prevent any rust deposits entering your water heater. 

If your water comes out cloudy, the discoloration may be caused by microscopic air bubbles trapped by cold temperatures. The water is safe to drink and will clear if you let the water stand for a minute or two. If you have any concerns you can call the Public Works Dept. at 708.361.1806.  

Flushable Items Cause Sewer Clogs

Please do not put "flushable" products down the toilet! They get caught in our sewer systems which leads to backups. Over the past several years, the number of sewer backups caused by objects getting stuck in the sewer line has increased tremendously. Some of the main culprits are so-called "flushable" or "disposable" rags and paper towels that can get caught on roots and cause blockages. These products also cause pump maintenance costs to increase due to clogging and increased energy consumption. Help care for your community and throw flushable products in the trash can.