FAQs

It is possible but it is not advised. If this is done a reduced pressure zone valve (RPZ valve) must be installed and inspected each year by a licensed cross connection inspector, with a report of the inspection filed each year with the EJ Water office. There is a substantial additional cost for installation and annual inspection of the RPZ valve.

Backflow is water of questionable quality or contaminants entering a public water supply system due to the reversal of water flow. If the water source that is connected to the hose, which is surrounded by detergent or fertilizer, experiences low pressure the flow of water is reversed.The chemicals from the detergent or fertilizer are then sucked into your home’s water source.

Yes, but only after the well has been abandoned.

In order to keep the area safe from the risks of backflow we send out a cross connection survey every other year along with our annual meeting packet to be sent back to us. We also keep the survey on our webpage so you can take it at any time. Our goal is to be aware of the risks of backflow that our posed in the area.

A hose bibb can be connected to your spigot to prevent backflow of your hose. Many homeowners are also installing backflow preventers at residential water meters.

If you are a renter and want to take responsibility of the water bill you must fill out a renters agreement which can be found under Forms and Documents. This includes a $100 deposit that is refundable at the time you, the renter, have moved out if the account is in good standing. There is also a $25 transfer fee to move the bill to the renter’s name.

These are members under the number 4,000 that signed up prior to September of 1995. We work to serve these members with priority when we receive grants. This is often time consuming so we provide a Cost Share Extension Membership option for members to get water service sooner.

The new owner would pay a $25 transfer fee to transfer the membership into their name, a $100 reconnect fee, as well as the monthly minimums and overdue payments missed since service was canceled. This amount will never go over $2000.

This is an option we provide to those that do not want to wait for water service, which can be a time consuming process. These members agree to pay a portion of the cost of constructing a water main to their property. Cost share projects can be shared with neighbors that are along the same road that lacks a water main. Along with the neighbors that agree to share the cost, the co-op will also help pay for the extension with 25% of the cost.

You or future owners may reinstate the membership, but there is a fee associated with reinstating a membership. Also, if there are late fees on the canceled account it is the responsibility of the member who wishes to reinstate the service to pay this. This cost will never go above $2,000

EJ was formed in 1989, making our Co-op only 33 years old, which is young for a utility company. We have served the unserved and underserved areas through the years with grant funding and the Co-op had to match those grants with 40-year loans. While we have been able to pay off a few of those loans early, we still have millions of dollars in debt to pay off. Unfortunately, water is one of the most capital-intensive utilities. Capital Credits are generated from margins paid for operating expenses. Our current rate structure doesn’t support depreciation expense, therefore net income is not being generated and there are no capital credits to be allocated. Once the Co-op gets the debt paid off, margins will start to be generated and capital credits will be allocated to each member. The Board has recognized the importance of diversifying our revenue stream to help keep rates affordable and increase margins to pay off loans more quickly, which is why EJ offers a variety of contract services to other communities and has acquired more densely populated communities to spread out costs among more users.

The cooperative relies on the minimum payments members pay each month to pay back the debt of constructing the water mains. By canceling the membership the previous owner forfeited their water service as well as the responsibility of paying their monthly minimum.

A membership fee for each meter added on the extension, applicable road bore costs, as well as engineering and easement fees.

To determine the total cost, the interested party/member pays a $200 non refundable deposit. Once the length is determined an exact cost will be provided so the party/member can decide if they want to continue with the project. The payment is used for materials and necessary construction permits. It is broken into two payments. The first is sent in with the Residential Users Contract. If the party/member does want to move forward, the co-op will help pay for the extension by covering 25% of the cost.

Under current policy, if membership is purchased prior to the water main being constructed, the cost is $1,000.00 ($150.00 sign up fee and $850.00 when the phase is approved). Prices are subject to change.

We do not do a final read of the meter up to the day of service (unless it’s a beacon). Other bills are prorated.

EJ Water has to have 75% of the easements that are sent to the those in the potential area, signed, notarized and returned before we can apply to receive a grant. Without a grant we cannot begin the construction of water mains. The more participation from the community, the faster a project will go.

Water can be provided as portions of each phase are completed at the discretion of the contractor.

Yes. The property owner, or their representative, must be present to allow the construction crew access to fenced areas.

No. However, it does need to be constructed in accordance with the Illinois Plumbing Code and EJ reserves the right to inspect the work.

The contractor is responsible for clean-up when the project is complete. It will be several months after construction of the water main before clean up begins. It is necessary to allow ground to settle before leveling. Lawns are re-seeded and gravel is replaced in driveways. EJ will monitor the clean up, and we will do everything possible to facilitate the process. We will appreciate your patience as the clean up is being done. Individuals who have signed an easement are entitled to crop damage, but it is the property owner’s responsibility to file a brief claim for the crop damage with the EJ Water office.

EJ Water pays for crop damage due to any construction or maintenance of the water main. We have a brief form that the landowner or farmer uses to fill in the crop loss information which can be found under Forms and Documents. Crop damage payments have historically been higher than market prices.

EJ’s right-of-way easement generally starts where the public right-of-way ends, usually 20 feet from the center of the road. EJ’s easement will most likely encompass the next 20 feet; however, when laying the water main, EJ tries to stay within the first five feet of private property. Our 20-foot easement, in most situations, does allow us enough room to install the water main. A wider easement may be requested in order to avoid obstacles such as large trees, and to minimize damage. A right-of-way easement is only necessary where the water main is located; access to the water meters and service lines are included in the user’s contract.

The contractor is not allowed to cut or remove fences without the property owner’s permission. In most cases the contractor will backhoe under the fence. If a fence has to be removed it will be replaced to as good or better condition. In any event the property owner should be notified before any fences are removed

Thermal expansion occurs when water is heated during non-use periods. A closed system leaves the water with no room for expansion which can be dangerous. To eliminate this we require the installation of expansion tanks to give the water a place to go when thermal expansion occurs.

The property owner is responsible for connecting a service line from their meter to the home.We have a licensed plumber on staff to provide services to install this water line, but you may choose another licensed plumber if you would like.

The meter needs to be located where it can be easily read by our Orion Reading System. (a radio read computer that reads from a vehicle on the road). The meter should be readily accessible by our servicemen and vehicles, preferably within 10 to 20 feet of the driveway. The meter, in most cases, may be placed anywhere on the property adjacent to the water main or adjacent to the property line.

The water main is buried at least 42″ deep, even across hilly areas or under creeks. It is buried this deep to avoid damage from frost, and other threats.

Our distribution system consists of PVC water mains from 4” to 8” diameter, sometimes 10”. A member’ service line from the meter will most likely be 1” to 1 ½” depending on the distance of the water main.

Each year a consumer confidence report (CCR) or water quality report is made available to all customers through the mail and can be found on our website on the water quality report page. This yearly report records all of the test results for the preceding year and notifies our members of the water quality.

Water testing is regulated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA). Water is tested daily at both treatment plants for several parameters. Additional samples from the distribution system are tested monthly.

EJ Water has two separate water sources. The larger water source will supply softened water to our customers; however our original water source still produces moderately hard water at the recommended amount of 6-7 grains. A water softener is not necessary although some customers desire to use a water softener. Before the water is softened in our water treatment it is around 17 grains of hardness.

Wastewater services will encourage economic development. Housing development in the outer regions of towns will raise the population, boost school enrollment, and keep people from moving to larger towns for amenities that smaller towns have not been able to offer before.

EJ water has provided sewer services to area villages for over a decade. Not only is our crew skilled in this work, but EJ already owns the equipment necessary to perform the necessary work. We felt it would be a way to increase additional revenue.

No. Rates for water will only be affected by the water operation, and rates for sewer will only be affected by the wastewater operation. Therefore if you only have water services your rates will not be affected by the wastewater portion of EJ’s business.