The March 22, 2022 regularly scheduled Departmental Meeting has been cancelled.
Manganese levels higher than allowed in Heights water supply
Manganese limits have been exceeded for a second time in the Village of Peoria Heights’ water supply.
While we are required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to notify the public of this Tier 2 violation, manganese is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil, water and air. It is present in commonly eaten foods such as nuts, grains and green vegetables. Some manganese is necessary for a healthy diet. The federal government has no threshold for manganese in drinking supplies, but the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency does.
The Village received the same violation in November, 2021 with quarterly samples for the July-September testing period of .393 milligrams per liter (mg/L), above the maximum contamination level established by the IEPA of .150. This latest test had a reading of .190 mg/L, still above the allowable limit but a substantial improvement from just months ago. We have been testing monthly since last November and will now perform in-house testing on a weekly basis.
Excessive manganese in the water may cause staining of plumbing fixtures and laundry. It may also produce an unpleasant taste in beverages including coffee and tea. While long-term exposure is generally necessary to compromise health, we advise that infants under 6 months old be given bottled water or alternative liquids as opposed to tap water, for the time being
We would like to reassure village water customers that we take this issue seriously and that we are working to address it. Heights Superintendent of Public Works Chris Chandler is working closely with the EPA and other water professionals to determine a permanent solution to this issue. The Village also will be issuing a Drinking Water Health Advisory Public Notice.
Prospect Road to be closed to traffic downtown
Come out and enjoy St. Patrick’s Day in Peoria Heights
Prospect Road from Seiberling to Marietta in Peoria Heights will be blocked to traffic to accommodate this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the Village on Thursday, March 17.
Barricades will be put up as the clock strikes midnight between Wednesday and Thursday. Traffic will be rerouted to Marietta and then to Columbus to bypass the Downtown.
There will be a substantial police presence, said Village Administrator and Police Chief Dustin Sutton.
“We want people to come out and enjoy themselves,” he said, but it will be “a controlled environment.”
Meanwhile, Village officials are hoping for good weather, for a change from recent St. Patrick’s celebrations. As of right now, it looks like Mother Nature is going to be cooperating, with temperatures expected at an unseasonably warm 70 degrees and little chance of precipitation.
Together We Play
"Together We Play" is a student group from St. Thomas the Apostle School in Peoria Heights devoted to constructing an accessible park for the Peoria area. The team has done research and have found that although there are over 10,000 people with disabilities in the Peoria area, there are very few accessible parks, and none within the Village of Peoria Heights.
Zoning Board Meeting Cancelled
The March 21, 2022 regularly scheduled Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting has been cancelled.
Employment Opportunity - Public Works Laborer
The Village of Peoria Heights is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time laborer position in the Public Works Department.
Qualified candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent as well as a valid Illinois driver’s license with the ability to obtain a CDL class B license and an Illinois Class C water license within the time required.
The candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal background check and medical physical with a drug/alcohol prescreen.
Candidates interested in this position have until Friday, March 31, 2022 to turn in a completed employment application, which can be downloaded at:
www.peoriaheights.org
Applications can be emailed to:
water@peoriaheights.org
Applications can also be dropped off at Village Hall, or mailed to the attention of:
Peoria Heights Public Works Department,
4901 N Prospect Rd, Peoria Heights, IL
61616
The Village of Peoria Heights is an equal opportunity employer. No phone calls please.
Peoria Heights Zoning Board will meet Monday, February 21, 2022
The Peoria Heights Zoning Board of Appeals will meet Monday, February 21, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 4901 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights, Illinois.
The purpose of the meeting is to consider the following requests:
1. Site Plan Approval application filed by Sherman’s Real Estate LLC – Marietta Ave Series seeking approval of a site plan for demolition and development of a building addition (Phase I) for the property located at 1203 East Marietta Avenue, Peoria Heights, Illinois 61616 (PIN No. 14-22-376-001), which property is currently zoned I-1 (Industrial District).
Additional documents and information are available at the Village Administrator's Office in Village Hall and/or by calling 686-2385.
Hydrant Flush Notification
Due to a hydrant being flushed off of Galena Rd, some customers may be experiencing temporary water discoloration. This issue is not harmful and should clear up within a few days.
If the problem persists, please call the water office at 309-686-2375
Village Hall Holiday Hours
Village Hall will be closed on Monday, January 17th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
FREEZING TEMPS ARE HERE!
HOW TO AVOID FROZEN PIPES
As the weather turns colder, the Village of Peoria Heights would like to remind you of the importance of preparing for the cold weather. Please remember these tips as you are preparing and protecting your pipes this winter:
Prior to this winter:
Become familiar with the areas of your home such as basements and crawl spaces. Also be aware that unheated rooms and outside walls are particularly vulnerable to freezing.
Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines by insulating walls, fixing broken windows, closing off crawl spaces, and eliminating drafts near doors.
Locate your main water shut-off valve. If a pipe freezes or bursts, shut the water off immediately.
Protect your pipes and water meter by wrapping exposed pipes with insulation or an electrical pipe
heater. Newspaper and fabric may be used as well.
When the temperatures fall below zero:
Keep interior temperatures at or above 55°F.
Turn on sinks to allow a small trickle of water to continually run to keep the pipes from freezing. The extra
cost of the water is minimal compared to the cost to repair a broken pipe. Residents should consider
collecting that water to put to later use (watering plants, pets, cleaning, etc.)
Open cabinets and allow the pipes to be exposed to the warmer room temperatures.
If your pipes freeze:
Shut off the water immediately. Do not attempt to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is shut off. Freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints.
Apply heat to the frozen pipe by warming the air around it, or by applying heat directly to the pipe. Use a hair dryer, space heater, or hot water. Be sure not to leave space heaters unattended and avoid the use of kerosene heaters or open flames.
Turn the water back on slowly once the pipes have thawed, and check for cracks and leaks.
Stay Warm!
4901 N Prospect Rd, Peoria Heights, IL 61616 P 309-686-2375 | F 309-686-2387 PeoriaHeights.org