Frequently Asked
Questions
Boil
Orders
What is the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
rule regarding Boil Orders?
The following IEPA rule is not verbatim, but, in
short, it is the guidelines we, like most supplies,
follow.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
requires any public water system to issue a boil order
when the system pressure drops below 20 psi. The
owners or official custodians of the supply shall notify
all consumers through either a hand delivered notice or
local media to boil all water used for drinking or
culinary purposes for five minutes before consumption.
This boil order shall remain in effect until
microbiological samples demonstrate that the water is
safe for domestic use, or until appropriate corrective
action approved by the agency is taken.
What good does it do to boil water?
Boiling water for a minimum of five minutes kills
bacteria so the water is safe to drink. Most
Public Water Supplies add chlorine for the same reason.
Chlorine is a disinfectant/oxidizer. To protect
our water supply from bacteria that may enter or develop
in our system, we add chlorine and test it every day to
ensure there is an adequate amount.
What can happen when the water system loses
pressure?
When water systems lose pressure, it its possible
for contaminates to enter the pipe through a joint or a
crack in the pipe. Yes, a crack in the pipe!
Every water system has leaks that go undetected until
the water reaches the surface. Some leaks surface
quickly. Some leaks never do surface. The
leaks that never surface are due to the fact that they
are usually leaking into storm or sanitary sewers.
If there is a leak in the area effected by the low
pressure, it is possible for contaminates to enter
through the crack in the pipe.
What type of contaminates are you talking about?
Watermains are usually buried anywhere from 3 to 6
feet underground. Contaminates that could enter
the system at this depth might be ground water, dirt,
oil, or gas from leaking underground tanks. It
could also be vapors from a leaking oil or gas tank.
It could be wastewater, if there is a broken sewer line
lying within a few feet or above a section of watermain,
and the ground around the watermain is saturated
with wastewater from the leak in the sewer line.
It could be natural gas, if there is a leak in a gas
line near the watermain. Contaminates to a
water system are not always life threatening bacteria.
If there is any dirt (not necessarily visible to the
naked eye) in a sample we collect, the sample will most
likely be rejected at the lab because of bacteria.
Please, do not misunderstand, other possible
contaminates are not ruled out. These are simply
the most likely ones to cause system problems.
What should I do if I notice low or no water
pressure in my home?
Until you find out different, play it safe and
assume a boil order is in effect.
How do I find out if I need to boil my water?
1. If you have Internet access, check
the City of Morrison's website, if the website does not
mention a boil order, call us. We may not know of
the problem yet.
2. Tune into Mediacom Cable channel 18. This is the City of
Morrison's Public Access channel. If a Boil Order
is in effect, a message will be posted on the screen
notifying residents. If the channel 18 does not
mention a boil order, call us. We may not know of
the problem yet.
3. Call City Hall, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
at 772-7657.
After these hours, please call the Whiteside County
Sheriff's Department at 772-4044.
How will I know when I can stop boiling my water?
1. Check the City of Morrison website.
2. Check Mediacom Cable channel 18.
3. Call City Hall at 772-7657. All boil orders will be lifted
between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
How long does a boil order last?
1. From the time the samples reach the
lab, it will take a minimum of 24 hours to obtain
results. If results come back negative, the order
will be lifted.
2. If any of the results come back positive, the boil order will be
in effect for at least two more days.
To learn more about the City of Morrison Boil Order
Procedures, please click
here.
City
Hall Information
When is City Hall open?
City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to
5:00 pm, excluding holidays.
Can I make payments by credit/debit card?
At this time, we cannot accept payments by credit
or debit cards. Payment may be made in the form of cash,
check or money order.
City
Services
How do I obtain a Building Permit?
You can obtain a Building Permit from City Hall,
or you can print one from the
Forms and Permits
page in our website. Completed applications must be
submitted in person at City Hall, 200 West Main Street.
The application fee is $5.00 plus $1.00 for every $1,000
of estimated improvements. The application fee is due
upon submission of application. Permits are not required
for improvements such as re-siding, re-roofing, or
installation of replacement windows. Permits are
required for new construction, fences, and structural
changes to a building.
How do I sign up for garbage
service?
The City contracts with Moring Disposal for all
curbside residential service within the city limits. When you sign up for water
& sewer service, you are automatically signed up for
refuse service.
Click here for more information about Moring
Disposal's refuse and recycling program.
Commercial accounts must contract for their own
garbage pick up by contacting the hauler of their
choice.
I just moved into a brand new home. How can
I get a recycle bin?
Please stop by City Hall. New recycle bins are
free of charge to all newly constructed residences. If
you need a second bin, the cost is $10.00.
I have lost my recycle bin. How can I get a
new one?
If your recycle bin has turned up lost, you may
purchase a replacement bin from City Hall.
Replacement recycle bins are $10.00 each. If you
recycle bin is in poor shape and you would like to trade
it in for a new one, you may bring it to City Hall. Trade-ins cost $5.00.
With the recent storm, I have a lot of storm
damage from my trees. Will the city pick up this
storm damage?
The City of Morrison Public Services Department does
pick up tree branches and tree debris after a storm.
It is recommended that residents contact City Hall
at 772-7657 to have their address placed on our storm
damage listing. City crews will only pick up storm
damage that is placed at the curb. Crews will not
enter upon private property to collect materials.
Typically, storm damage is collected within 2-3 days
after a storm or high wind has occurred. However,
collection will occur as time permits.
. Utility
Billing
What do I do if I can’t make
it to City Hall to make a utility bill payment during
your business hours?
For your convenience, the City provides a drop box
located between the south side outside doors. The drop
box is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We
empty the contents of the box once each week day at 8:00 am.
The City is not responsible for cash payments made
through the drop box. Payments may also be mailed.
Please allow 3-5 business days if mailing.
How do I sign up for water
service?
Applications for Metered Water Service can be
printed from the Forms and
Permits page of the
website or you can obtain an application at City Hall. A
deposit of $50.00 is required of all tenants and for new
residents and is due within one week of the requested
date of service.
I am going on vacation. How
can I put my utility bill on hold?
Utility Bill Vacation status can be established in
one of two ways. Residents may either inactivate their
account or select to have service disconnected at the
curb. The Vacation Billing form must be completed and
turned into City Hall before your departure in
order for the City to establish vacation status. Forms are available at City Hall
or you may print one from our
Forms and Permits
page.
Whiteside
County Courthouse
How do I contact the
Whiteside County Courthouse?
Each department at the
Whiteside County County Courthouse has it’s
own phone number. The following is a brief list of
frequently requested numbers
County Clerk (815) 772-5189
Circuit Clerk (815) 772-5188
Child Support (815) 772-5168
Traffic (815) 772-5169
Health Department (815) 772-7411
Sheriff’s Office (815) 772-4044 (non-emergencies)
Call 9-1-1 for emergencies
Recorder’s Office (815) 772-5192
State’s Attorney (815) 772-5194
Supervisor of Assessments (815) 772-5195
County Treasurer (815) 772-5196
Zoning - Rural Areas (815) 772-5175
Miscellaneous
What do I do if the shut-off
valve in my house is leaking?
If the water control valve inside your home or business
is leaking, it is the responsibility of the owner to
make necessary repairs. If shut off at the curb is
required to make repairs, please contact City Hall at
772-7657 to make arrangements.
What do I do if sewage is
backing up in my house?
Residents should contact City Hall first, in the event of a sewer back-up. Workers will be
dispatched immediately to your home or business. If a back-up
occurs after-hours or on weekends, please contact the
Whiteside County Sheriff's Department at (815) 772-4044.
Inform the dispatcher of the nature of the problem.
They will then contact the officer on duty, who will
contact someone from the Public Services Department.
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