SETTING UP SERVICE
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Pleasant Valley Public Water ordinance requires water to be in the property owner’s name. Before the closing date, contact the Water office so we can take a meter read. After you’ve closed on the property, you’ll need to provide the Water office with proof of ownership, sign a contract, and pay a $75.00 deposit by check. If you’re not sure which document you need, please bring your closing paperwork with you, and our staff will help. The Water office will notify Greater Peoria Sanitary District that you have taken ownership of the property. All forms can be found under our new customer page above.
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The service deposit is applied towards the final bill. Since we bill after the fact, your service deposit will reduce the amount owed on the final bill. Any amount remaining after the final balance is paid is refunded to the property owner.
WATER LEAKS
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If you think you have an interior leak, wait until no one is using any water. Shut off the interior valve and wait for one minute. Slowly open the interior valve and listen closely. Any water flowing through the valve would indicate a leak. If you think you have an exterior service line leak, contact us to verify. Upon request, we’ll turn water off at the exterior shut off valve. This service is always free during normal business hours.
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If there’s a leak in your house, you should contact a licensed and insured plumber to fix the problem. It helps if you’re able to locate the leak first, but the source might not always be obvious. Dripping faucets are common and easy to identify. Toilets, water heaters, and water softeners are some other common sources of leaks.
Toilets: To identify a leaking toilet, you can place food coloring in the back of the tank. Leave the toilet untouched for 15-30 minutes. If any color has leaked into the bowl after the resting period, the seal on the toilet needs to be replaced. The Water office has dye tablets and instructions available upon request.
Water Heaters: If there’s water near or under your water heater, there could be a problem with your water heater. Check the drain valve and the pressure release valve to see if the water is coming from there. If there’s no water or moisture on the valves, look along the top and body of the water heater to see if water is traveling down the outside before pooling on the floor. If you have a floor drain near your water heater, you will need to carefully check the area as a water leak from your water heater will not be as obvious.
Water Softeners: Finding a leak in a water softener can be more difficult. Water softeners are designed to flush themselves periodically, and a malfunctioning water softener can get stuck in a loop of refilling and flushing its water supply. If this is happening, it can be hard to notice as it’s not constant like some of the other leaks.
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The service lines that carry water from the water main to the interior of the house belong to the homeowner. The lines are private property and not owned by PVPWD. We own the water mains, the individual service tap that runs from the water main onto your property, and the service shut off valve in the easement on your property. The pipe after the service shut off, known as a service line, which transports water through your yard into your house is your responsibility as the property owner. PVPWD also owns the water meter that is inside your house or in a pit but does not own the pipes leading up to or after the meter. We are not responsible the interior shut off which shuts off service inside your house so you can make repairs.
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The water could be run off, from a fire hydrant, or a water main break. If you see water in the roadway, especially if it seems to be coming from the road itself, please contact Pleasant Valley Public Water so we can make sure there isn’t a water main break.
BILLING AND PAYMENTS
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The rates are set by ordinance and approved by the Board of Trustees after examining projected revenues, expenses, and necessary capital projects during the life of the water rate ordinance. Current water rates were set by Ordinance 24-01 which established water rates for January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2027. These rates, along with reserves that have been saved for these projects, will provide funding for normal operating costs and will allow us to make $2 million in improvements to the water system.
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PVPWD charges a minimum bill, regardless of use, because it has to maintain the water system, treat water, and continue to provide access to water even when a resident isn’t using the service. Charging a minimum allows us to perform this work and keep it available to our residents.
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Payments can be made by check, money order, ACH, and online payments using the courtmoney.com website. All payment information is available on the backside of your invoice.
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Water shut off for nonpayment will remain off until the delinquent balance is paid in full. If you were shut off for nonpayment to Greater Peoria Sanitary District, you must pay that balance to them as well as any delinquent balance owed to Pleasant Valley Water. If payment is submitted before 2:00 pm on a weekday, your water will typically be turned back on before 3:30 pm that day. If payment is submitted more than 5 business days after water was shut off, we require an appointment, with an adult present, to turn the water back on. We try to schedule these appointments on the same day, but it’s dependent on the time payment is received and appointment availability. In most cases, water is restored within 24 hours of payment.
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This can have a lot of different answers so we encourage residents who are concerned about the amount of their water bill to contact us directly. When you call, we’ll review your usage history with you to determine if the current bill is within your normal use range. We’ll also ask you to think if there have been changes in your household in the last three months that might have affected your usage. Changes would include things like additional guests or residents in the house, lawn or garden watering, pool use, or a new appliance. If there’s an increase in use without a reasonable explanation, we’ll begin the process of helping you determine if you might have a leak. For more information on what to do if you think you have a leak, please see the section covering leaks.
WATER PROBLEMS
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Poor water pressure can be caused by several things: clogged pipes or fixtures, a water main break, fire hydrant use, a malfunctioning water softener or heater, or frozen pipes. Test multiple fixtures, including the outdoor spigot, to determine if the issue is in one place or all over the house. If one part of the house has low pressure, contact a plumber as you probably have a clogged pipe. If the whole house is affected by low water pressure, contact the Water office for more assistance.
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Normal residential water pressure should be between 55-65 pounds per square inch (psi). Due to the bluff, the water system below the hill is under a lot of pressure. PVPWD strongly recommends each residence below the hill has a pressure reducing valve. If you experience knocking pipes below the hills, contact a plumber to inspect your pressure reducing valve.
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During cold weather, pipes that run through exterior walls or that don’t have enough insulation can freeze. Leave a small stream of cold water running. It’s also a good idea to keep cabinet doors open so warm air can circulate. Houses should be heated to at least 55°F. Crawl spaces or unheated areas may benefit from using heat tape. If your pipes are frozen, turn off the water at the meter and contact a plumber as frozen pipes may have burst and could leak when thawing.
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The water from the Sankoty aquifer is naturally hard water. The pH level is 7-7.5. PVPWD has 23 grains hardness or 400 ppm. We recommend residents use a water filtration or softener systems to remove iron and prolong the life of appliances.
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While there are no specific public records detailing lead or copper line issues in Pleasant Valley 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 Pleasant Valley 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.
Locate your water line: Find the water pipe that enters your home from the ground, typically in a basement or crawl space. If it is not plastic, you may need to scrape the pipe with a screwdriver to get a clear look at the metal.
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.
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 Pleasant Valley Public Water District for assistance.
Pleasant Valley Public Water District’s water system and state requirements
Water source: Pleasant Valley 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 Pleasant Valley 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 village 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.