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Vol. 15, No. 1 - Mar 1994KISSING ZONE March 1994 Vol.15 No.1 25TH ANNIVERSARY On April 15th, Bernard Forrest will celebrate his 25th year as Mayor of Deerfield. Elected as a Village Trustee in April of 1965, he has served the community as an elected official for twenty-nine years. While we make every effort to keep this newsletter a non- political publication, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge this accomplishment and extend our congratulations. OUTSTANDING YOUTH AWARD The Deerfield Youth Council would like your help in nominating deserving young men and women for the Jeffrey Werner Outstanding Youth Award. This award was first presented in 1969 as a memorial to Jeffrey Werner, a Deerfield teenager who, despite a terminal illness, distinguished himself in service to his community. Nomination forms are available at the Village Hall. Please return completed forms to the attention of Barbara Bishop, Village of Deerfield, 850 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, Illinois 60015. The deadline for accenting nominations is April 1, 1994. The award presentation will take place at Jewett Park during the Memorial Day Celebration. YARD WASTE COLLECTION • Yard waste collections will begin on Tuesday, April 5th. Don't forget, you must use "Deerfield Recycles" bags. Bundled brush will also be picked up each Tuesday. LEAD STANDARDS FOR WATER Much has been written about and has appeared in the media lately , about lead and drinking water. Deerfield purchases all of its water from Highland Park. The have published an article in their newsletter that answers the most commonly asked questions concerning this issue. We have adapted it for our purposesand_reprint it here. i SHOULD I BE WORRIED? * No. On the contrary, this Federal program is part of an on -going,, intensified nation-wide effort to reduce the population's exposure to lead. * There has been no change in the quality of the water which we provide you. * Theie� has. been no, newly discovered health risk. * What has changed is the Federal govern- m'ent's policy concerning lead. i i For, several years, health, professionals have become .increasingly concerned" :aboutthe effects of lead in ourenvronment T°his'.resulted in the elimination of 'lead solder inafood can'nin-g., the -requirement of the use;of u_nleaded?gasol'ine and,the elimination of lead- based As the lead exposure risks from these high-level lead sources, have been reduced; federal attention has turnedto-other;rlow sle`vel;so'ur,ces of ;lead exposure, ,including the`an°ation'..`s`water supply. A zero -lead ex�posur='e, goal�ha's�been',established°for. water supplies (the actual target level is, less than- 15 parts per billion ,PP B`i�of homes). (eontinued on next page) WHY ARE YOU PROVIDING ME WITH THIS INFORMATION? In 1986, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act reauthorization bill which mandated stricter regulation of lead in drinking water. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) published the rules which went into effect in 1993. These set new lower limits for lead in water, require water utilities to identify and monitor homes most likely to experience elevated lead levels, inform the consumers of the risks of lead exposure and add new chemical treatment to reduce lead corrosion potential when these limits are exceeded, and ultimately, to replace some lead service lines where other measures are unsuccessful. WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT LEAD? We have completed the monitoring of selected homes in the "at- risk" categories: homes with lead service lines connecting the home's pipes system to the Village water mains. This line may be made of lead in homes built before the 1950's. homes built between approximately 1982 and 1986 (when this material was banned) employing lead -bearing solder to join copper pipes. We have measured elevated lead levels (above 15 PPB limit) in approximately one-half of the 60 homes tested. In addition to our public education program, Highland Park has incorporated a new corrosion inhibition, treatment at their Water Plant. This should significantly reduce lead exposure throughout the system. Federal law requires the Village to deliver the following mandatory public notice to you. The language of this notice is, of necessity, general as it applies nation-wide. FEDERAL NOTICE The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Village of Deerfield are concerned about lead in your drinking water. Although most homes have very low levels of lead in their drinking water, some homes in the community have lead levels above the USEPA action level of 15 parts per billion (PPB), or 0.01.5 milligrams of lead per liter of water (mg/L). Under Federal law, we are required to have a program in place to minimize lead in your drinking water by January 1998. This program includes corrosion -control treatment, source -water treatment, and public education. We also are required to replace each lead service line that we control if the line contributes to lead concentration of 15 PPB or more after we have completed the comprehensive treatment program. If you have any questions about how we are carrying out the requirements of the lead regulation, please • give us a call at 317-7245. This bulletin explains the simple steps you can take to protect you and your family by reducing your exposure to lead in your drinking water. Health Effects of Lead Lead is a common, natural and often -useful metal found throughout the environment in lead -based paint, air, soil, household dust, food, certain types of pottery, porcelain and pewter, and water. Lead can pose a significant risk to your health if too much of it enters your body. Lead builds up in the body over many years and can cause damage to the brain, red blood cells and kidneys. The greatest risk is to young children and pregnant women. Amounts of lead that won't hurt adults can slow down the normal mental and physical development of growing bodies. In addition, a child at play often comes into contact with sources of lead contamination -like dirt and dust- that rarely affect an adult. It is important to wash children's hands and toys often, and to try to make sure they only put food in their mouths. Lead in Drinking Water Lead in drinking water, although rarely the sole cause of lead poisoning, can significantly increase a person's total lead exposure, particularly the exposure of infants who drink baby formulas and concentrated juices that are mixed with water. The EPA estimates that drinking water can make up 20 percent or more of a person's total exposure to lead. Lead is unusual among drinking water contaminants in that it seldom occurs naturally in water supplies. Lead enters drinking water primarily as a result of the corrosion, or wearing away, of materials containing lead in the water distribution system and household plumbing. These materials include lead - based solder used to join copper pipe, brass and chrome -plated brass faucets, and in some cases, pipes made of lead that connect your house to the water main (service lines). In 1986, Congress banned the use of lead solder containing greater that 0.2 percent lead, and restricted the lead content of faucets, pipes and other plumbing materials to 8 percent. When water stands in pipes or plumbing systems containing lead for several hours or more, the lead may dissolve into your drinking water. This means the first water drawn from the tap in the morning, or late in the afternoon after returning from work or school, can contain fairly high levels of lead. • Drinking Water Supply System Steps You Can Take in the Home to Reduce Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water Despite our best efforts mentioned earlier to control water corrosivity and remove lead from the water supply, lead levels in some homes or buildings can be high. To find out whether you need to take action in your own home, have your drinking water tested to determine if it contains excessive concentrations of lead. Testing the water is essential because you • cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water. Some local laboratories that can provide this information are listed at the end of this notice. i If a water test indicates that the drinking water drawn from a tap in your home contains lead above 15 PPB, than you should take the following precautions: * Let the water run from the tap before using it drinking or cooking any time the water in a faucet has ggne unused for more than six hours. The longer water resides in your home's plumbing, the more lead it may contain. Flushing the tap means running the cold water faucet until the water gets noticeably colder, usually about 15 to 30 seconds. If your house has a lead service line to the water main, you may have to flush the water for a longer time, perhaps one minute, before drinking. Although toilet flushing or showering flushes water through a portion of your home's plumbing system, you still need to flush the water in each faucet before using it for drinking or cooking. Flushing tap water is a simple and inexpensive measure you can take to protect your family's health. It usually uses less than one or two gallons of water and costs less than 25 cents per month (based on flushing two times a day for 30 days). To conserve water, fill a couple bottles for drinking water after flushing the . tap, and whenever possible use the first flush water to wash the dishes or water the plants. If you live in a high-rise building, letting the water flow before using it may not work to lessen your risk from lead. The plumbing systems have more, and sometimes larger, pipes than smaller buildings. Ask your landlord for help in locating the source of lead and for advice on reducing the lead level. * Try not to cook with, or drink water from the hot water tap. Hot water can dissolve more lead more quickly than cold water. If you need hot water, draw water from the cold tap and heat it on the stove or in the microwave. * Remove loose lead solder and debris from the plumbing materials installed in newly constructed homes, or homes in which the plumbing has recently been replaced, by removing the faucet strainers from all taps and running the water from 3 to 5 minutes. Thereafter, periodically remove the strainers and flush out any debris that has accumulated over time. * If your copper pipes are joined with lead solder that has been installed illegally since it was banned in 1986, notify the plumber who did the work and request that he or she replace the lead solder with lead - free solder. Lead solder .looks dull gray, and when scratched with a key looks shiny. In addition, notify your State Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), Elgin Regional Office, (708) 741-7771 about the violation. * Determine whether or not the service line that connects your home or apartment to the water main is made of lead. The best way to determine if your service line is made of lead is by either hiring a licensed plumber to inspect the line or by contacting the plumbing contractor who installed the line. You might be ably to identify the plumbing contractor by checking the Village's records of building permits. The Village does maintain a file when homes are built, and records of the more recent homes will contain the name of the licensed plumber listed on the permit. A licensed plumber can at the same time check to see if your home's plumbing contains lead solder, lead pipes, or pipe fittings that contain lead. The public water system that delivers water to your home also should maintain records of the materials located in the distribution system. If the service line that connects your dwelling to the water main contributes more than 15 PPB to drinking water, after our comprehen- sive treatment program is in place, we are required to replace the line. If the line is only partially controlled by the Village of Deerfield, we are required to provide you with information on how to replace your portion of the service line, and offer to replace that portion of the line- at your ex_ J— — -------- ---- LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS PROGRAM CARE-A-THON '94 Along with other area Leagues, the Deerfield League of Women Voters is sponsoring a program entitled "Illinois' Financial Merry -Go -Round and How to Get Off" on Saturday, March 19th from 9:30 to 11:30 A.M. at the Karger Recreation Center, 1850 Green Bay Road in Highland Park. State Senator Grace Mary Stern and former Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools Sybil Yastrow will explain the State's tax system and proposals for a graduated income tax. Resolutions that would bring about such a tax have been introduced in the Illinois Legislature. If passed, a constitutional amendment will be on the November, 1994 general election ballot. There is no charge for the presentation or the continental breakfast which will be served. For more information, call the League of Women Voters at 433 - 8855. COMMUNITY RELIEF FOUNDATION The Deerfield Lions Club, Deerfield Optimists, and Rotary clubs of Deerfield and Lincolnshire have created the Community Relief Foundation, a not - for -profit charitable organization, to raise funds to assist in meeting the one-time catastrophic medical needs of residents of Deerfield, Bannockburn, Riverwoods and Lincolnshire. Money is raised through individual and corporate donations as well as by holding special events throughout the year. Unlike many charities, the funds and resources go directly to our neighbors in need. If you would like more information, their address is 763 Deerfield Road, Suite 4, Deerfield, and the phone number is 945-7070. VILLAGE OF DEERFIELD 850 Waukegan Road Deerfield, Illinois 60015 Fire Department..............................911 Fire Department Non -Emergency ............945-4066 Police Department ............................911 Police Department Non -Emergency ..........945-8636 Village Hall ..............................945-5000 BERNARD FORREST, Mayor TRUSTEES Marvin W. Ehlers Edwin B. Seidman John H. Neuberger Vernon E. Swanson Harriet Rosenthal Michael Swartz Robert D. Franz, Village Manager Marjorie Emery, D-Tales Editor p Printed on Recycled Paper Printed at SPS, The Printing Company, Inc. (708) 498-6126 On Sunday, February 6th, the Caring For Others Committee, Human Relations Commission and Cable Advisory Board presented their third annual Care- A-Thon on the local access Cable TV channel. The donations are given to various local health and human care agencies. The Village would like to express its pride and gratitude to everyone who participated in this worthwhile community event. ANNUAL BUDGET Work is underway on the annual budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 1994. Village staff will present a proposed budget to the Mayor and Board of Trustees in early March. A\public hearing will be held on the document at the April 18th Village Board meeting. Your comments and suggestions on projects and services are welcome. TIME WELL SPENT If. you would like to devote some of your time and talent by serving on one of the Village's advisory Boards/Councils/Commissions, call the Village Hall for an application. The Manpower Commission interviews all applicants and then submits their recommendations to the Mayor and Board of Trustees. NEWSPAPERS NEEDED The Orphans of the Storm is in need of newspapers for use during the winter months (through April). They are located at 2200 Riverwoods Road and are open seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They can also be left by the gate after hours, but please bag them so they don't blow around. Bulk Rate U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 1 Deerfield, Illinois CAR/PRE-SORT POSTAL CUSTOMER DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS 60015 pense and take a follow-up tap water sample within 14 days of the replacement. Acceptable replacement alternatives include copper, steel, iron and plastic pipes. Have an electrician check your wiring. If grounding wires from the electrical system are attached to your pipes, corrosion may be greater. Check with a licensed electrician or your local electrical code to determine if your wiring can be grounded elsewhere. DO NOT attempt to change the wiring yourself because improper grounding can cause electrical shock and fire hazards. The steps described above will reduce the lead concentrations in your drinking water. However, if a water test indicates that the drinking water coming from your tap contains lead concentrations in excess of 15 PPB after flushing, or after we have completed our actions to minimize lead levels, then you may want to take the following measures: Purchase or lease a home treatment device. Home treatment devices are limited in that each unit treats only the water that flows from the faucets to which it is connected, and all of the devices require periodic maintenance and replacement. Devices such as reverse osmosis systems or distillers can effectively remove lead from your drinking water. Some activated carbon filters may reduce lead levels at the tap, however, all lead reduction claims should be investigated. Be sure to check the actual performance of a specific home treatment device before and after installing the unit. Anyone considering purchase of a home water treatment unit should first read the January 1990 issue of CONSUMER REPORTS magazine, which contains a feature article evaluating the many units available. This is available at the Deerfield Public Library, 920 Waukegan Road. * Purchase bottled water for drinking and cooking. You can consult a variety of sources for additional information. Your family doctor or pediatrician can perform a blood test for lead and provide you with information about the health effects of lead. State and local government agencies that can be contacted include: The Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Family Services at (217) 782- 0403, Division of Environmental Health at (217) 782-5830 or the Lake County Health Department at 360-6753 can provide you with information about the health effects of lead and how you can have your child's blood tested. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Public Water Supplies at (217) 782-9470 and the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Act Hot Line (800) 426- 4791 also can answer your questions about the lead rules. The following is a list of some state -approved laboratories in the area that you can call to have your water tested for lead. Illinois EPA -approved water testing laboratories: Enviro- Test / Perry 319 Ogden Avenue Downers Grove, IL 60551 708-963-4672 Gabriel Laboratories Ltd. 1421 N. Elston Avenue Chicago, IL 60622 312-486-2123 Gulf Coast Lab 2417 Bond Street University Park, IL 60466 708-534-5200 Micro -Fiber Lab 25 Landwehr Road Northbrook, IL 60062 708-498-4127 North Shore Sanitary District P.O. Box 750 Gurnee, IL 60031 708-623-6060 N.E.T. Midwest 850 W. Bartlett Road Bartlett, IL 60103 708-289-3100 The Village of Deerfield Public Works Scientific Control Department at 317-7245 can provide you with 3158 S. Kolin Avenue information about your community's water Chicago, IL 60623 supply. 312-254-2406 The Village of Deerfield Building Department Culligan at 945-5000 will provide you with what 270 W. Palatine information is available about building permit Wheeling, IL 60090 records. These records might contain the 708-459-1550 names of plumbing contractors that plumbed Your home. ******************** olice Beat Railroad Crossing Safety Train accidents involving motor vehicles and pedestrians seem to happen on a weekly basis across the country. According to the Secretary of States office, failure to observe railroad warning de- vices cause 5,300 collisions per year in the United States. These violations also cost over 600 lives per year and thousands of need- less injuries. Deerfield has had several accidents over the past few years as well. Some of these accidents have miraculously ended with little or no injury, but others have ended in tragedy. We would like to share some of the safety issues concerning train traffic in Deerfield. When trains travel through Deer- field they do not always sound their horn when approaching a crossing. Many trains passing through town travel at speeds in excess of 60 M.P.H.. The speed of a train can be very deceptive. Because of the size of a train and the angle at which it is traveling towards you, the speed of a train can be very difficult to judge. MEANS When approaching a railroad crossing and the warning devices are activated, treat it as though it were a stop light. This deceptive nature of trains is especially important for people using the Village Train Station. A train may appear as though it is going to stop when in fact it is traveling at a high rate of speed. Remember when the warning de- vice at the Village Train Station is activated, do not cross. When you're driving and ap- proaching a crossing, anticipate the space available on the other side of the tracks. If the amount of space is questionable, don't cross. Many accidents are caused because motorists feel they have enough space, only to find them- selves stuck in traffic on railroad tracks From the time the engineer sees an obstruction on the tracks it may take 1/4 mile or more for the train to make an emergency stop. In Illinois from 1987 to 1991, 995 people were injured and 228 peo- ple lost their lives in train crashes. Drive carefully and don't become a statistic.