Where is the Water & Electric
Department?
The Water & Electric Department offices
are located at 1390 Willow Road. The public entrance to the building in on the Willow Road side.
Utility billing is located in the Finance Department at Village Hall, 510 Green Bay Road.
What are the hours of operation?
The Water & Electric Department is staffed from 7
a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
How do I apply for water and/or electric
service?
Contact the Finance Department at 847-446-9550 for an application for service. The Village must verify your identity in order to provide service, so you will be asked to show a government-issued photo I.D. in order to establish service. The Village will accept a photocopy of your out-of-state photo ID if you are new to Illinois.
How do I discontinue my water and
electric service?
Call utility billing at 847-446-9550. We
must physically read the actual meter, before service can be discontinued.
You will need to make arrangements for the meter reader to obtain the final
readings.
Who can answer a question about my
bill?
Call utility billing at 847-446-9550.
Who do I call about a problem with
my utility service?
The Water & Electric Department emergency
line is 847-501-2531. This number is staffed at all times.
Who do I call to report a problem
with a street light being out or turning on and off?
Call the Water and Electric Department at
847-716-3558. If it is after hours, you can leave the information on voice
mail. You can also submit a repair request by email to bkeys@winnetla.org.
Who do I call to report a problem
with a traffic signal?
The Water & Electric Department emergency
line is 847-501-2531. This number is staffed at all times.
What do I do about solicitations to switch energy providers?
Some residents report receiving phone calls or door hangers from Spark Energy and Constellation Energy to switch energy providers. The Village of Winnetka owns and operates its own municipal electric system; therefore, Spark Energy and Constellation Energy cannot provide electric service to Village residents or businesses.
Investor-owned utilities such as ComEd are required to allow third party suppliers to offer their services to residential customers within their service territory. If you have additional questions, please contact the Water & Electric Department at 847-716-3558.
Where do I learn about the source and quality of Winnetka's drinking water?
As required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Winnetka produces an annual consumer confidence report. The report describes where Village water comes from, test results, and other pertinent information about Winnetka's drinking water. The 2012 report is now available on the Forms/Documents page.
What are Cross Connection Control/Backflow Preventers?
These devices are required to prevent potential contamination sources from entering the potable (drinking) water distribution system. The Village is required to send Cross Connection Surveys to Winnetka residential and commercial water customers. The survey is part of the Village’s cross connection program which is an IEPA requirement. The State of Illinois regulations prohibit cross connections of any kind and require the Village, as a public water system operator, to maintain an active program to identify and eliminate cross connection hazards. This is one of several tools intended to protect water consumers in the state. Cross connection control devices are also called backflow preventers, reduced pressure zone devices or RPZ’s.
In most cases, the following facilities require cross connection control devices:
- Schools
- Medical/Dental facilities and laboratories
- Golf Courses
- Beauty salons and manicure/pedicure facilities
- Photographic processors
- Establishments selling fresh market, poultry or fish
- Gas stations, garages and car washes
- Florists or nurseries
- Residences with lawn sprinklers, fire protection systems, or swimming pools/hot tubs
- Apartment and Condominium buildings
Connection control devices are to be tested on an annual basis by a licensed plumber who is certified in Cross-Connection Control Device Inspections. Many irrigation companies will coordinate the test with the spring start up of the lawn sprinkler system. A copy of the test records is to be mailed or faxed to the Water & Electric Department. Any questions can be directed to 847-716-3558.
