Water main breaks remain a recurring issue in Park Forest, driven largely by the age of the Village’s underground infrastructure and intensified by rapid temperature changes, Public Works officials said.

As the region moves into a warming period this week following prolonged cold weather, Public Works Director Roderick Ysaguirre believes additional water main breaks are possible. While extreme cold often triggers breaks, sudden temperature swings — particularly freeze-thaw cycles — can place added stress on aging pipes.

“We do see an uptick in the frequency of breaks when temperatures change,” Ysaguirre said. “When the ground goes from normal to freezing and freezing back to normal, the surrounding ground around water mains tends to stress and strain the pipes in various ways. These stresses and strains are in addition to any breaks caused by pressure-related issues.”

Ysaguirre explained that Park Forest owns and maintains approximately 73 miles of water main, much of it installed more than 70 years ago when the Village was first developed. As pipes age, they become more susceptible to corrosion, shifting soil, and changes in water pressure, increasing the likelihood of breaks year-round.

Ysaguirre said his department does not yet have updated totals for the number of breaks recorded since the start of the cold season. However, 10 water main breaks have been reported since mid-January.

Water main breaks are typically discovered in several ways. Public Works may be alerted by the water treatment plant when it detects an unusually large amount of water flowing out of the system. Breaks are also reported by residents, police officers, Village staff, or Public Works crews who notice flowing water while working elsewhere in the community.

Ysaguirre encouraged residents to report unusual water flow.

“If a resident sees something like flowing water when normally they would not see flowing water, they should call Public Works at 708-503-7702 to report it,” Ysaguirre said. “Staff will respond to investigate. It could be a water main break, it could be a burst pipe in a vacant home, it could be a sump pump, or just melting snow. Let us know, and we will look into it.”

Many water main breaks are considered routine and can be repaired relatively quickly, while others are more complex and require additional time, equipment, and labor. Repairs can range from minor fixes to extensive excavations, particularly when breaks occur beneath roadways or near other utilities.

Ysaguirre said replacing water main infrastructure is a significant investment. The cost to replace a water main averages approximately $1.5 million per mile, making full system replacement a long-term effort. Since 2019, the Village has replaced roughly 5.5 miles of water main, and approximately 22 miles total since 1987. Officials continue to pursue state and federal grant funding to support ongoing replacement projects.

In most cases, water quality is not affected by a water main break. Ysaguirre said his department conducts routine monthly water testing and performs additional monitoring during and after breaks in accordance with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. If system pressure drops too low, a Boil Water Advisory may be issued as a precaution.

Residents may notice red or discolored water following a break. The discoloration is caused by iron released from the pipe and typically clears within 24 hours. While not considered a health hazard, residents are encouraged to run cold water until it clears and avoid drawing discolored water into hot water heaters.

The Village uses the CodeRed notification system to keep residents informed. Email notifications are used for service disruptions that do not affect water quality, while phone calls and text messages are reserved for boil advisories and other emergencies. Residents who would like to sign up for the free service can click here.

Ysaguirre said Park Forest continues to budget for ongoing water main improvements, replacing smaller segments annually, and planning larger-scale projects every five years as part of its long-term infrastructure strategy.