Drinking water alert issued to Aqua Illinois customers with infants in the south suburbs
UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill. (WGN) — A drinking water alert has been issued for Aqua Illinois customers with infants due to high levels of nitrates from the Kankakee River.
According to an alert on Aqua Illinois' website, recent rains combined with spring agricultural fertilization have caused nitrate levels in the Kankakee River to rise, impacting customers served by their Kankakee Water Treatment Plant.
The alert warns nitrate levels in the Kankakee River may be harmful to infants under six months in age, and affect customers served by their Kankakee, Peotone and University Park systems.
Nitrates are natural compounds made of nitrogen and oxygen that are found in soil, water, some foods and even the human body. What makes them dangerous to infants is that if they are consumed at increased levels, they can interfere with their blood's ability to carry oxygen, potentially leading to methemoglobinemia, or 'Blue Baby Syndrome.'
Blue Baby Syndrome can cause respiratory distress, seizures, coma and even death if not recognized and treated properly, according to the National Institutes of Health.
To help customers while they work to fix the situation, Aqua Illinois said they are providing bottled water to families with infants under six months in age from 12-7 p.m. CT at three different locations, until the drinking water alert is lifted.
1000 South Schuyler Avenue, Kankakee, IL 60901
1737 East Amberstone Road, Manteno, IL 60950
24650 South Western Avenue, University Park, IL 60484
Aqua Illinois provided the following statement to WGN TV News:
'Aqua Illinois' top priority is the health and safety of our customers. The drinking water alert for infants under six months old remains in effect. We continue to monitor nitrate levels closely, and we will notify our customers when the drinking water alert is lifted. We will continue to provide bottled water for families with infants under six months old until we can lift the alert. The nitrate levels leading to this event were unprecedented, and we appreciate our customers' patience and understanding as we work diligently to address this issue.' -Aqua Illinois
In 2017, Aqua Illinois switched their water sources from wells to the Kankakee River, arguing the move was supposed to provide the village and surrounding customers with a cleaner, better source of water.
But according to University Park Mayor Joseph Roudez, that has not been the case.
'We don't know how long this will go on,' Roudez said. 'They tricked us the first time and said the lead problem would only last for a couple of months, it lasted for over four years. We are just recovering from that.'
Aqua Illinois said they are monitoring the nitrate levels in the Kankakee River closely and will notify customers when the alert is lifted. If you are pregnant or have specific health concerns, Aqua Illinois said they urge customers to consult their doctor.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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