The Village of Oreana has recently conducted a water and sewer rate study. The results of this study will be used to determine water and sewer rates for 2018 and beyond. The report is available for viewing by clicking the link below.

>>>Water and Sewer Rate Study Report Findings

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD IN YOUR DRINKING WATER

The Village of Oreana Water Department found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes/buildings. Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and children 6 years and younger. Please read this notice closely to see what you can do to reduce lead in your drinking water.

Health Effects of Lead
Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or othersources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones and it can be released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which may affect brain development.

Sources of Lead
The primary sources of lead exposure for most children are deteriorating lead-based paint, lead contaminated dust, and lead-contaminated residential soil. Exposure to lead is a significant health
concern, especially for young children and infants whose growing bodies tend to absorb more lead than the average adult. Infants that drink formula prepared with lead-contaminated water are at a greater risk because of the large volume of water they drink relative to their body size. Lead is rarely found in source water, but enters tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder.

Steps You Can Take To Reduce Your Exposure To Lead In Your Water
If the level of lead found in your drinking water is above 15 ppb or if you are concerned about the lead levels at your location, there are several things you can do:

• Run your water to flush out lead. If water hasn’t been used for several hours, run water from your kitchen tap or whatever tap you use for drinking and cooking for at least 3 minutes and it
becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking. This will help flush lead-containing water from the pipes. In order to conserve water, you can fill multiple
containers after flushing for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.

• Bottled drinking water should be used by pregnant women, breast-feeding women, young children, and formula-fed infants at homes where lead has been detected at levels greater than
15 ppb.

• Use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Do not use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula.

• Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.

• Look for alternative sources or treatment of water.

• Test your water for lead. Call us at the number below to find out how to get your water tested for lead.

• Identify if: your plumbing fixtures contain lead. New brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free,” may contribute lead to drinking water. As of June 19,
1986, new or replaced water serviced lines and new household plumbing materials could not contain more than 8% lead. Lead content was further reduced on January 4, 2014, when
plumbing materials must now be certified as “lead-free” to be used (weighted average of wetted surface cannot be more than 0.25% lead). Consumers should be aware of this when
choosing fixtures and take appropriate precautions.

What Happened? What is Being Done?
We are conducting water analysis throughout the distribution system to determine what treatment option will control corrosion within homes will works best for our customers.

For More Information Call Larry Coloni at 217-433-8894.

For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov/lead or contact your health care provider.

Oreana Water system distributed October 24, 2017

The fall rummage sales are October 6th and 7th.

>>>CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MAP OF SALE LOCATIONS

To be added to the map, click the “contact us” button above and send us your information!

It is hard to believe that Summer is winding down, and the year is more than half over. Over the summer, we have been quite busy in the Village of Oreana. We kicked off summer with the return of the Oreana Park Program. After a several year break, the park program returned with an average of around 65 kids attending the program each day. The kids participated in crafts, free-play, games, and sports. We also had special guests from the A-O Fire Dept, Oreana Police Dept, and the Macon County Farm Bureau visit the park throughout the summer. Overall the park program was a great success and we look forward to bringing it back again next summer.

The Village Board has also had a busy summer. In May, the Village Board approved my appointment of Aaron Donath to fill the remaining two years of an unexpired term. Please join me in welcoming Trustee Donath to the Village Board. The Village Board also approved re-appointments of Treasurer Michelle Fleming, Clerk Anne Kirby, and Attorney Mike Antoline.

Also during the May meeting, the Village Board approved two proposals from Chastain and Associates (Village Engineering Firm) to conduct two separate studies. The objective of the first study is to evaluate possible solutions for the drainage issues on W. Plains Drive, particularly from the intersection of Rayjon Drive and W. Plains Drive, South to Westmoor Drive. While this problem has been studied before, the objective of this study is to find a solution that we can currently afford.

The objective of the second study is to evaluate our current water and sewer rates and provide recommendations regarding those rates. While the Village has increased the utility rates in recent years, utility revenues continue to fall short of what is needed to operate the system. The Village Board will soon receive the results of both studies, and will determine the next steps over the next few months.

As always, please visit the village website at: oreanail.com to view the most recent meeting minutes, ask a question, or contact the Village. You can also email me directly at mayor@oreanail.com, or call 468-2476.

Aaron Keathley

Mayor

We are excited to bring the summer park program back to the Oreana Park. Please visit our dedicated summer park program page by clicking the link below!

>>SUMMER PARK PROGRAM PAGE

It is with great sadness that I share that Trustee David Ward has passed away. Trustee Ward served Oreana for many years. As a Trustee, Dave could always be counted on to listen and give his input. I often relied on Dave’s exceptional memory of actions the Board had taken in the past. Over the years, there isn’t an ordinance or policy that he hasn’t influenced. His contributions to the Village are many. We will miss Dave and all that he brought to the board.

With a heavy heart,
Mayor Keathley