Crest Hill officials outline options after PFAS detected in city wells, aim for report in 4–6 months

Crest Hill city officials told residents May 5 they are studying short-term and long-term options to reduce traces of PFAS in the municipal water system and will return to the council with a formal memo and recommendations in four to six months.

The update came after the city notified residents about laboratory findings showing PFAS compounds at levels above newly adopted regulatory limits. Mayor Raymond R. Solomon opened the public comment portion of the meeting, noting that the city “did not create this problem of PFAS” and that the issue is regional and national in scope.

Consulting engineers and city staff described the system and why officials believe a regional Lake Michigan supply remains the most cost‑effective long‑term solution. Consulting engineer Chris Ulm told the council the city “currently uses 8 wells” that draw from the Silurian dolomite aquifer and reviewed prior studies comparing costs. He said a 2021 analysis estimated that installing advanced treatment on the wells…