Oswego Residents Without Running Water; Frozen Service Lines Blamed

With continued cold and more severe weather on Monday, some Oswego residents say they've been without running water.

Residents and businesses reported via Oswego Patch's Facebook page that they've been without water — some for several days. 

Public Works Director Jennifer Hughes said the issue stems from numerous frozen service lines.

"The water is freezing in those service lines," she said. "We are working to address those," Hughes added, saying water mains appear to be working properly.

She said residents who are having problems should contact the village's public works department at 630-554-3242.

"We have been without water at The Garden Faire for three days as well as our neighbor at the car dealership," John Zidlicky said Monday, referring to his business at 5. S. Madison St. in downtown Oswego.

Other residents reported water issues in the Lakeview Estates subdivision, and resident John Steel said his water has been out since Thursday on Oswego's west side.

"This is happening everywhere, not just [Oswego]," Steel said. "The frost line is lower now than ever," he added, advising other homeowners to let water run in their homes to prevent the line from freezing.

"We are on a waiting list [for repairs] at #24," Steel said Monday. He said the village advised him to call a plumber, but in order to thaw the lines, the plumber would have had to dig on village property.

Oswego Chamber of Commerce Chamber Liaison Angie Hibben said the chamber, 63 W. Washington St., was also without water, and was No. 25 on the list Monday morning. 

"They are working as fast as possible," Hibben said on Facebook. "This winter has been brutal.

On Monday, which was President's Day, an automated message at village hall advised residents with a water or sewer emergencies to contact Oswego police, but according to Capt. Jeff Burgner, that message was not due to the recent water issues.

"That message is on there all the time," he said. "It's not specific to this — it's only because we're open 24/7."