One of the most important jobs of the Public Works Department is to ensure that the residents of South Holland have a safe, dependable water supply. For this reason, the Water/Sewer/Stormwater Division works to ensure that our sanitary sewer system and water system are up-to-date and functioning properly at all times.  The Division contains 6 employees including our Water Operator. 
 
For more information, contact Public Works Supervisor Eric DiSanto at (708) 339-8745 or edisanto@southholland.org or Water Operator Keith DeYoung at (708) 339-2323 or kdeyoung@southholland.org .

The water supplied by the Village of South Holland is surface water from Lake Michigan. The village buys its water from the City of Chicago and the Village of Lansing, which in turn receives its water from the Village of Hammond, by way of Lake Michigan. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that the quality of Lake Michigan has improved dramatically throughout the last 20 years. Lake Michigan, by volume, is the second-largest of the Great Lakes and the only one located entirely in the United States. At the present time, the City of Chicago and 118 communities receive water from Lake Michigan, which is managed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). 
 
Treating Lake Michigan Water 
The treatment process consists of three main steps: 
 
1.) First, raw water is drawn from Lake Michigan and sent to water treatment plant, which stores the water in an aeration tank, which allows for oxidation of the high iron levels that are present in the water. The water then goes to a mixing tank where polyaluminum chloride and soda ash are added. The addition of these substances causes small particles to adhere to one another (called floc), making them heavy enough to settle into a basin from which sediment is removed.

2.) Chlorine is then added for disinfecting. At this point, the water is filtered through layers of fine coal and silicate sand. As smaller, suspended particles are removed, turbidity disappears and clear water emerges. Chlorine is added again as a precaution against any bacteria that may still be present. (The Village carefully monitors the amount of chlorine, adding the lowest quantity necessary to protect the safety of your water without compromising taste.)

3.) Finally, soda ash (used to adjust final pH and alkalinity), fluoride (used to prevent tooth decay) and a corrosion inhibitor (used to protect distribution system pipes) are added before the water is pumped and sanitized to underground reservoirs, water towers and into your home or business.