Public Works: Water Division

Hours:

Monday through Friday 8 AM-5 PM. Closed holidays. For after hours emergencies, please contact the Police Department at (618) 259-6212.

Billing:

Billing is bi-monthly. To make a payment, you can use cash, check, or money order in the office, by mail, or in the night deposit box on the front of the Municipal Building. You may also pay with debit/credit card in the office with a surcharge fee (fee schedule is based on bill amount). Credit card payments will not be accepted over the office phone.

To make a payment with Credit/Debit/E-check ONLINE, please click here.

A nominal convenience fee will be added to each transaction (debit/credit cards $2.95 and e-check $1.95).

To use online bill pay, please have your account number and service address available. When entering the account number, DO NOT USE DASHES and for the service address, make sure it matches exactly how the service address is listed under “Service Address” on your bill on the left-hand side. Note: this may not be the same as the mailing address. These must match exactly in order to locate your account.

To make a phone payment, please call 855-594-0902. $1.00 will be added to each phone payment on top of the convenience fee (debit/credit cards $3.95 and e-check $2.95).

Using a third-party online bill pay vendor (except when using Invoice Cloud) may result in the delay of payment resulting in late fees and/or possible disconnection. Please note: Doxo.com is NOT affiliated with the Village of East Alton and is considered a third-party online bill pay vendor.

Transfer Fees/Turn On Fees:

In order to turn on the water or transfer water to another residence, $60 must be paid in advance and the resident must bring in a picture ID, Occupancy Permit (available at the Zoning Office (618) 259-1185), and their lease agreement. Only cash, check, or money order will be accepted for the $60.00 transfer fee.

If you are moving to East Alton and need to set up water services at your residence, please fill out the Water Agreement Form and return it in-person to the Water Department, Municipal Building, 119 West Main Street, East Alton, IL 62024. Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed to view the form. Please click on the icon at the bottom of the page to download the form.

Hydrant Flushing:

Hydrants will be flushed again Spring of 2024. Check back here or on our Facebook page for specific dates!

Hydrant flushing is the quick release of water from fire hydrants. It is important for the general maintenance of the Village’s water distributions system. Hydrant flushing and flow testing will ensure adequate water flow is available to firefighters, residents and businesses. Hydrant flushing helps ensure water quality. During flushing, customers may notice a reduced water pressure and flow. Once flushing has subsided in your area, pressure will build back up. Sometimes hydrant flushing can make water temporarily appear rust-colored or tea-colored. This is because iron and other mineral deposits in the water mains get stirred up. There is no health hazard associated with discolored water. The water is safe to use and consume during hydrant flushing, however it may stain laundry. Wait until flushing has subsided in your area, then run a cold water tap until the water runs clear. Remember: rust-colored water is safe, but it may stain laundry. If this happens, keep clothes wet and treat them with stain remover. The Village has stain removal product available at the Water Desk. Hydrant flushing is performed two times a year – once in the spring and once in the fall. Further questions can be answered by calling the Water Department at (618) 259-4646.

Quality on Tap

Our goal is and always has been, to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water.

Our water source is from eight wells that draw water from the American Bottoms Aquifer. This aquifer covers an area of about 175 square miles from Alton to Dupo. The water plant was built in 1968. In 1992 a 3 MGD (million gallons per day) ‘state of the art’ addition was added. Well water enters the purification system through an aerator that removes gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and air bubbles and helps to oxidize the iron. The water then enters a clarifiers where lime and coagulants are added to remove iron and manganese and reduce hardness. The water from the clarifier then enters the recarbonation vessel. Here adding carbon dioxide lowers the water pH and the water is stabilized for domestic use. Fluoride is added at this point to enhance dental health. Next, the treated water passes through two filters to remove the last traces of turbidity. The filtered water then flows into two clear wells with a total capacity of one million gallons. The clear, purified, and softened water is now ready for consumption and is pumped through the distribution system to the Village of East Alton customers. For a private tour of the water plant call (618) 259-4646 for a time and details.

The Village’s Water Department is also a proud member of the Groundwater Guardian Foundation. Also, in 2000 the Village was awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources the Shining Star Award for their continued work in groundwater protection efforts.