Setting Up Service
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Water Service in New Owner’s Name
Limestone Walters Public Water District requires all water accounts to be in the property owner’s name. Before your closing date:
1. Contact the Water Office with proof of ownership
2. Sign a service contract
3. Pay a $75 deposit by check
If you’re unsure which document is needed, bring your closing paperwork and our staff will assist you. All necessary forms are available on our Forms page above.
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Your deposit will be applied to your final bill. Because we bill after service is provided, the deposit will reduce the amount owed. Any remaining balance after the final bill is paid will be refunded to the property owner.
Water Leaks
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Water Leaks *
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Checking for Water Leaks
• Interior Leak: When no one is using water, shut off your home’s interior valve and wait one minute. Slowly reopen it while listening closely—any water flow likely means a leak.
• Exterior Service Line Leak: Contact us to confirm. On request, we’ll shut off water at the exterior valve free of charge during normal business hours.
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What To Do If You Suspect a Leak
If you think you have a leak in your home, contact a licensed and insured plumber to make repairs. Locating the source beforehand can help, though it’s not always obvious. Common sources include dripping faucets, toilets, water heaters, and water softeners.
Toilets
• Add food coloring to the toilet tank and leave it untouched for 15–30 minutes.
• If colored water appears in the bowl, the seal is leaking and needs replacement.
• Dye tablets and instructions are available from the Water Office.
Water Heaters
• Look for water near or under the heater.
• Check the drain and pressure‑release valves for leaks.
• If valves are dry, inspect the top and body for water running down the outside.
• Be thorough if there’s a floor drain nearby — pooled water may not be obvious.
Water Softeners
• More challenging to diagnose.
• Softeners flush periodically; if malfunctioning, they may cycle continuously.
• Because this isn’t a constant flow, leaks can be harder to spot.
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Water Service Line Responsibility
The service lines that run from the water main into your home are private property and belong to the homeowner. LWPWD owns:
• The water mains
• The individual service tap that connects the main to your property
• The service shut‑off valve located in the easement on your property
• The water meter (whether inside your home or in a pit)
As the property owner, you are responsible for:
• The service line running from the shut‑off valve through your yard into your house
• Any pipes after the water meter
• The interior shut‑off valve inside your home, which controls water service for repairs
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Reporting Water in the Roadway
Water in the street may be caused by runoff, fire hydrant use, or a water main break. If you notice water in the roadway—especially if it appears to be coming up from the pavement—please contact Limestone Walters Public Water District so we can check for a possible main break.
Billing and Payments
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Water Rate Information
Water rates are established by ordinance and approved by the Board of Trustees after reviewing projected revenues, expenses, and planned capital projects for the ordinance’s duration. Ordinance 24‑01 set the current rates for January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027. These rates—together with reserves saved for upcoming projects—will fund normal operating costs and support improvements to the water system.
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Minimum Billing Policy
LWPWD applies a minimum bill to all accounts—regardless of actual water use—to cover the essential costs of maintaining the water system, treating water, and ensuring service is always available. This minimum charge helps us continue providing reliable water access for every resident.
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Payment Options
We accept checks, money orders, ACH transfers, and online payments through courtmoney.com. Full payment details can be found on the back of your invoice.
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Water Service Restoration After Nonpayment
Water service shut off for nonpayment will remain off until the delinquent balance is paid in full.
• Weekday payments before 2:00 pm: Service is usually restored the same day, by about 3:30 pm.
• Payments made more than 5 business days after shut‑off: An appointment is required to reconnect service, and an adult must be present. Same‑day appointments are often possible, but depend on payment time and availability.
In most cases, service is restored within 24 hours of payment.
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Questions About Your Water Bill
If you’re concerned about the amount of your water bill, please contact us directly. We’ll review your usage history with you to see if the current bill is within your normal range. We’ll also ask you to consider whether any changes in your household over the last three months—such as extra guests or residents, lawn or garden watering, pool use, or new appliances—might explain the difference.
If your usage has increased without a clear reason, we’ll start helping you investigate the possibility of a leak. For more information on identifying and addressing leaks, please refer to the Leaks section.
Water Problems
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Low water pressure can result from a variety of issues, including clogged pipes or fixtures, water main breaks, fire hydrant use, malfunctioning water softeners or heaters, or frozen pipes. To troubleshoot, test several fixtures—both indoors and the outdoor spigot—to see if the problem is localized or throughout the home.
• If low pressure is limited to one area, you likely have a clogged pipe and should contact a plumber.
• If the entire home is affected, reach out to the Water Office for further assistance.
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For most homes, normal water pressure ranges from 55 to 65 pounds per square inch (psi). In certain lower-lying areas of our district, water pressure may be higher due to the lower land elevation. To prevent issues, LWPWD recommends that all homes in these areas install a pressure-reducing valve. If you notice banging or “knocking” in your pipes below the hills, contact a plumber to check your valve.
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Cold Weather Pipe Safety
Pipes located in exterior walls or lacking proper insulation are at risk of freezing in cold weather. To help prevent this:
• Keep a small stream of cold water running.
• Open cabinet doors so warm air can reach plumbing.
• Maintain indoor temperatures of at least 55°F.
• Use heat tape in crawl spaces or other unheated areas.
If your pipes do freeze, turn off the water at the interior main valve immediately and contact a plumber — frozen pipes may have burst and could leak once they thaw.
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Sankoty Aquifer Water Quality
Water drawn from the Sankoty aquifer is naturally hard, with a pH between 7.0 and 7.5 and a hardness level of 23 grains (400 ppm). To help remove iron and extend the lifespan of household appliances, LWPWD recommends installing a water filtration or softener system in your home.
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While there are no specific public records detailing lead or copper line issues in Limestone Walters Public Water District, the state of Illinois requires all public water systems to create and update a full inventory of their water service line materials. Residents who are concerned about lead and copper pipes can contact Limestone Walters Public Water District for information regarding their property.
How to check for lead and copper lines
Since your water service line is often jointly owned by the water provider and the property owner, you may need to conduct an inspection.
1. Locate your water line: Find the water pipe that enters your home from the ground, typically in a basement or crawl space. If the service line is not plastic, you may need to scrape the pipe with a screwdriver to get a clear look at the metal.
2. Check for lead:
• Appearance: Lead is a dull gray color.
• Sound: When you tap it with a coin, lead makes a dull thud.
• Magnetism: A magnet will not stick to a lead pipe.
3. Check for copper: Copper is a brownish, reddish, or greenish color and is non-magnetic.
Contact your utility: If you can't determine the material, call Limestone Walters Public Water District for assistance.
Limestone Walters Public Water District’s water system and state requirements
• Water source: Limestone Walters Public Water District’s municipal water comes from groundwater wells, typical for this region.
• Lead service line law: Illinois has a statewide law, the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (LSLRNA), that requires all community water systems to develop a comprehensive inventory and replacement plan for lead service lines.
• Inventory reports: Water systems across Illinois are required to submit regular updates to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) until their lead pipe inventory is complete.
• Lead and Copper Rule compliance: The IEPA requires all community water supplies to test for lead and copper to ensure the water is minimally corrosive and doesn't pick up contaminants from pipes.
What to do if you have a lead service line
If you determine that your property has a lead service line, here are your options:
• Contact Limestone Walter’s Public Water District: Ask the water department about its replacement schedule and any programs that may be available to property owners.
• Use a certified filter: Use a filter certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) to remove lead, particularly for drinking and cooking.
• Replace the line: Consider replacing your portion of the service line, especially if the district is replacing the public-side portion. Illinois law discourages partial replacements, as they can temporarily increase lead levels.
Please click the video link below to see how to check your service line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcO5FCE9Vfw