Sampling Scheduled For Private Water Wells Near Sterigenics

WILLOWBROOK, IL — Water samples from homes near the Sterigenics facility will be taken the morning of Dec. 13, according to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA and DuPage County Health Department have worked to identify private wells, obtain access agreements and develop a thorough sampling plan.

According to the IEPA, a Quality Assurance Project Plan has been developed by Illinois EPA technical staff and reviewed by DCHD staff. The plan includes samples to be taken at all residences near the facility that granted access.

Homeowners have granted access for samples to be collected from an outside faucet or spigot, the IEPA said. Residents do not need to be home but are reminded to ensure water is flowing to the faucet on the day the samples will be taken.

According to the IEPA, all water samples will be sent to an independent certified laboratory for analysis for ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol. The independent analysis will provide additional information for residents and assist the IEPA in identifying groundwater contamination of wells used for drinking water in the area. The sampling plan may be expanded if initial analysis identifies contamination.

Once analysis results are received from the laboratory, the IEPA said data will be provided to the Illinois Department of Public Health, who will provide the results to each of the residents once the results are finalized.

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