Lake in the Hills removes well from drinking water supply after testing finds unregulated chemicals

The village of Lake in the Hills took one of its wells out of service and is no longer using it for public drinking water after recent testing showed the presence of two unregulated chemicals, it said in a news release.

Each chemical’s detected levels were below the Environmental Protection Agency’s health advisory levels, the village said in the release, but the village chose to “eliminate any additional risk” by taking the well out of service.

Recent testing of Well 6 showed the presence of two types of chemicals, perfluorobutanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid, that with long-term exposure can lead to adverse health effects, according to the release. The chemicals are used in products, such as weatherproof clothing, non-stick pans, waxes, and fire-fighting foams.

The village said it had no information about the exact source of these chemicals as of statement’s release. No other wells showed signs of the chemicals.

The remaining wells and treatment facilities have an “adequate capacity” to meet the current water system demands of the village, according to the release.