James Park Water Quality Update - January 2017

Bookmark and Share Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

James Park

January 27, 2017

The City of Evanston confirms that the water is safe for use. This confirmation is based on water samples collected at several locations in the James Park area and other areas in Evanston. 

On Wed., Feb. 8, 7 p.m., at Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave., a community meeting will be held to provide an update on the water quality issues in the James Park neighborhood and environmental lawsuit filed against Nicor and ComEd.

In November 2016, the Evanston City Council approved Round 4 collection of drinking water samples for testing. Samples from a total of 63 sites were collected between November 28 and December 2, which included samples from sites in each of the City’s nine wards. Click here to view Round 4 testing results report.

The water samples were tested for a wide range of semi-volatile organic compounds, including phenanthrene and fluoranthene, not just the two coal tar products. Neither the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) have established a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for phenanthrene or fluoranthene in public drinking water supply systems.  

During the last four rounds of testing, the highest concentration of phenanthrene found was 0.056 ppb and the highest concentration of fluoranthene found was 0.029 ppb. The potable water standard for phenanthrene is 210 ppb and for fluoranthene is 280 ppb. The water testing results are significantly (99.9%) below the potable water standards.


Federal Court Determines Evanston Claims in James Park Case Must Go Forward 

On January 17, the federal court determined that the City of Evanston's claims against Nicor and ComEd must go forward in the federal environmental lawsuit. Nicor and ComEd spent tremendous energy and money to defeat the City’s Amended Complaint. 

Nicor and ComEd must now answer the City’s complaint. The court indicated that five causes of action against the defendants can continue. One count (Count II) for a local ordinance violation was dismissed, however, the court made it clear that the City could refile that count if it wanted to. Read more>>>


The James Park Water Quality Updates newsletter is sent out monthly with the latest developments on this topic.

Staff Contact:
Kimberly Richardson
Assistant to the City Manager
847-448-8029
krichardson@cityofevanston.org
www.cityofevanston.org