Overview
- The alert issued on June 7 remains active as of June 9 in Kankakee, Peotone, University Park and parts of Crete, Green Garden and Monee townships.
- Recent tests recorded nitrate levels of 11.9 milligrams per liter at the Kankakee Water Treatment Plant, exceeding the federal limit of 10 milligrams per liter.
- Infants under six months should avoid tap water for drinking or formula because elevated nitrates can cause potentially fatal blue baby syndrome.
- Boiling tap water is ineffective for nitrate removal and may actually increase concentrations, making bottled water the recommended alternative.
- Bottled water distribution continues daily from noon to 7 p.m. at designated sites and Aqua Illinois will lift the alert once further testing confirms safe levels.