Survey Information Used to Ensure Drinking Water is Safe in St. Charles

Submission by the city of St. Charles

The city of St. Charles is conducting a water use survey of all water customers. The survey is being conducted by Aqua Backflow, a company contracted with the City to gather the survey data. All water customers are required to complete and return this survey, which takes only a few minutes.

The information obtained is used to ensure safe drinking water for all users by documenting if a homeowner has certain water-related equipment and if a backflow prevention device is installed. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) requires the survey every two years.

The IEPA requires every public water supply to have a comprehensive cross-connection control program. Cross-connections are defined as a connection between a drinking water line and non-drinking water line which can pose a potential health hazard both in the residence or business and in the public watersupply. At these points of connection a backflow preventer device must be installed.

A backflow preventer prevents reversal of the flow of the non-drinking water into the drinking water system in the home or business and into the public watersupply. Examples of where these devices may be located are: lawn irrigation systems, boilers, hot tubs, ponds, fountains, fire sprinkler systems.

All St. Charles water customers will receive a survey form in the mail. Please follow the directions, complete, and return the survey. It can be submitted via an online form or returned by fax, email or regular mail.

The company hired to implement and oversee St. Charles’s program is Aqua Backflow from Elgin, Ill. They specialize in cross-connection control management. Please return all surveys to Aqua Backflow not the City. If you have or require backflow protection, you may also be notified for testing, repairs or installations. Contact Aqua Backflow with questions at 847.742.2296 or info@AquaBackflow.com.

St. Charles’s Cross-Connection Control Program is designed to safeguard public health. We ask for your cooperation with our program and any requests for information that comes from Aqua Backflow or City of St. Charles staff.