DIETERICH, IL – As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the health and safety of our community, EJ Water Cooperative is launching a campaign focused on identifying and remediating lead service lines in our water system. This initiative is in alignment with the national priority to eliminate lead from drinking water infrastructure across the country.

The cooperative will be working closely with local communities and members to raise awareness, identify potential lead service lines, and collaborate on proactive solutions. We will also continue to ensure that we remain compliant with federal regulations, particularly the recently revised Lead and Copper Rule (LCRR), which requires utilities to maintain an inventory of service line materials.

“In 2023 we surveyed our members and they identified water quality as their top priority; we have made it our goal to place water quality at the forefront of our efforts, and this campaign is another step forward in our dedication to public health,” said Bill Teichmiller, CEO of EJ Water Cooperative. “We’re proud to work with our community to protect future generations from the dangers of lead exposure.”

A Legacy of Providing Rural Water

Here at EJ Water, our mission is to help grow families, communities, and businesses while fostering economic development. While our cooperative continues to grow, our values have remained steadfast since our founding in 1989. We believe it is crucial for our members to understand our passion for encouraging economic stability through the provision of safe, clean water.

Historically, our cooperative has prioritized maintaining a robust and safe water distribution system. This campaign builds on our legacy of ensuring the highest quality of water for all those we serve. As part of this initiative, we’ve already complied with the October 2024 deadline to compile a detailed inventory of both public and private service line materials.

There is no safe level of lead exposure, and our utility is committed to eliminating the risk to our community by addressing lead in drinking water. To that end, we continue to urge our members to reach out if they suspect their service lines may contain lead. Information and resources on how to identify lead pipes and request service line inspections will be made available on our website www.ejcoop.com.

By engaging with our community, we aim to ensure that all members have access to clear, reliable information about their drinking water, and that we can collectively work to identify and replace any remaining lead service lines.

For more information, please visit www.ejwatercoop.com or contact our member service department at 217-925-5566.

ABOUT EJ WATER COOPERATIVE: EJ Water Cooperative, founded in 1989, is a trusted rural water utility serving a population of over 58,000 people in 19 Counties. For more than 35 years, EJ Water Cooperative has been committed to delivering clean, safe, and reliable water to its members while actively maintaining the highest standards of water quality and safety.