Notify a water emergency after hours

If you are experiencing a water emergency after the hours of 4:30pm M-F, Saturday and Sunday.
Please call your non-emergency police department
Justice Police Department NON-EMERGENCY 708-458-2191
Willow Springs Police Department NON-EMERGENCY 708-839-2732
They will dispatch our crews immediately.

Instance of a water emergency:
Burst Water Main: The main underground water pipe carrying water to your home or business ruptures, causing a leak or lack of water pressure.
What you will see, water that is gathering quickly on your property or street. Your normal pressure of water in your home or business is significantly lower than normal.
Once a break is located, the water is typically shut off to the affected area and crews will dig and repair the pipe. Repairs can take several hours to complete.
Once the repair is complete, the area may need to be temporarily filled in with dirt and gravel, and it can take several months for the ground to settle and the area to be fully restored.
During a water main break, residents in the affected and sometimes adjacent areas may experience sediment or discolored water during and following the repair. We recommend you run the cold tap water at the lowest point in your house until the water runs clear.

While a broken pipe within your home is your responsibility, if you need your water terminated to mitigate damage to your home or fix the water line please don’t hesitate to call.

Did you know that we call customers during water emergencies and outages? It is important to verify that we have the best number to reach you. Below is the link below to sign up for emergency alerts.

Sign Up: https://member.everbridge.net/2746309463244830/new

The Water Commission requires that if you are moving or if you have a new tenant taking over the 
property that we are notified of this change. Please click on the link below and fill out the form and send to agnesk@jwswc.org. All information needs to be filled out, failure to do so will delay your final water read.

Please fill out this form: Final Water Read

If you receive a utility bill that is higher than usual, consider these common causes:

• Seasonal Usage – Increased water usage during summer months for lawn irrigation, garden watering, new sod, and swimming pool maintenance can significantly impact on your monthly bill.
• Plumbing Leaks – Common Leaks include:
  • Running toilet: often caused by a faulty flapper. To detect a leak, you can:
    • Sound Check – Listen for a hissing noise.
    • Dye Test – Add a few drops of food coloring or a dye tablet to the toilet tank. After 15-20 minutes, check the bowl for dye.
    • Overfill Tube – Leaks in the overfill tube may go directly into the sewer line without any obvious signs.
  • Leaky Faucet and Fixtures: Usually caused by a faulty rubber washer in the faucet handle.
  • Old, Outdated Fixtures and Toilets: Newer models are designed to save water, such as low-flow toilets, high efficiency washing machines, low-flow showerheads, etc.
  • Irrigation Leaks: A cracked line or loose joint can cause leaks even when the system is off. Look for wet spots in your yard.
  • Outdoor Spigot Leaks: Check for leaks in outdoor faucets.
• Equipment problems – issues with water softener, water heater or humidifier can cause increased water usage.
• Running water to avoid freezing – In cold weather months, running water to prevent pipes from freezing can increase your bill.

If your bill is high and you feel that a dispute is necessary please fill out the form in its entirety and email back to tsutera@jwswc.org.

*A customer has 30 days to file a dispute after the billing date. After the period expires, the customer forfeits the right to dispute the bill*. 

Please call the Water Commision if you are having plumbing work that necessitates removing the water meter of shutting off the water at your buffalo box aka as bbox, It is typically located between the property and the street, it is a metal tub in your yard.

*Please note the Justice-Willow Springs commission field staff are the only ones allowed to shut off the service. If we are not called and notified that your service needs to shut off or turned on a fine up to $1500.00 will be applied to your account*

Senior Discount: You need to be over the age of 65, preside at the property, current property tax bill with senior exception, a driver’s license, and deed of trust on the property.

Veteran’s Discount: We need a copy of Military ID, Copy of DD214, preside at the property, current property tax bill and driver’s license. Active-duty personnel must provide a CAC or valid military ID.

Please fill out this form: Senior Discount

Going away for the winter? Do you need your water shut off for plumbing issues? Are you going away for an extended period of time? Please click on the paperwork below and fill out the form in its entirety.

Termination Request

*Please note the Justice-Willow Springs commission field staff are the only ones allowed to shut off the service. If we are not called and notified that your service needs to shut off or turned on a fine up to $1500.00 will be applied to your account*

You can add, amend and delete names on your bill if you are the main account holder. Please fill out the form below:

Name Change Form

A delinquent bill can lead to a shut-off after 60 days have passed. A shutoff letter will be sent to the property letting you know your bill is 60 days delinquent. You will have 10 days to respond, after 10 days have passed your property will be stickered, 10 days from when you are stickered your water will be terminated. There will be a $25.00 turn off and $25.00 turn off fee that will be added to your bill. All Past due amounts will have to be paid in full along with the turn on and turn off fee.

If you are having a hard time paying your bill, we do offer payment plans fill out the form below and email to tsutera@jwswc, with the address in the subject line or you can call the office 708-458-7010 and ask for Tabatha.

Payment Arrangements

All fire hydrants on private property shall be kept in good working order by the owner of the private property where located. All fire hydrants shall be subject to inspection by the Water Commission. No person shall take or allow water to be taken from any fire hydrant, whether on public or private property, unless the water usage is metered, and the Water Commission is contacted. Any questions please call the office at 708-458-7010.

RPZ testing is required by the EPA and is an extremely important part of making sure that the water supply is not polluted. As a homeowner you are required to get the RPZ tested yearly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How will I know when my device is due for testing?
BSI will send you a letter thirty days before your device is due for its annual test. Please note this is a yearly test that has be completed.

Does BSI perform backflow device testing?
No, BSI is not permitted to do any testing. They are only contracted to accept test results and maintain the City’s database.

Is there a fee for testing my backflow device?
Your licensed testing contractor will charge you a fee for the services that they perform.

Are there any penalties/fines from the City if the test is not done before the deadline date on the letter?
The Water Utility is authorized to turn off water service to customers who place the public water supply at risk. Customers who fail to comply will receive reminders from BSI and will receive a final notice from the City prior to disconnection. Customers who are disconnected for backflow violations will be charged the same reinstatement fees as customers who are disconnected for non-payment.

Should I tell BSI if my lawn sprinkler is permanently or temporarily disconnected?
The Justice-Willow Springs Waer Commission no longer accepts “Inactive Forms” for lawn irrigation systems not in use. It is the customer’s responsibility to have device(s) tested annually by a licensed contractor and documentation submitted directly to BSI. If you choose to permanently shut down/disconnect your system, you are required to have a licensed contractor remove the RPZ, cap off the system and submit documentation directly to BSI.

Do I send my test report to BSI from now on?
No, your backflow testing contractor will submit your test results online.

How do I know if my test report has been received?
Please remind your contractor to do so and can contact BSI at anytime to inquire if the test was received.

Can the City or BSI recommend contractors to use for my testing?
BSI maintains an online list of licensed Cross Connection Device Inspectors who operate in Illinois. Each customer is responsible for choosing their own testing contractor and is under no obligation to continue using their previous contractor.

Backflow Inspections
The Justice-Willow Springs Water Commission has contracted with BSI to manage the City’s backflow inspection program. BSI will serve as the primary point of contact for backflow inspections and can be contacted at 888-966-6050 or through their website: www.bsionline.com.