Article: Gunk slows water flow Officials say chemicals lining lake water pipes.(News)

It's fluffy, it's white, it looks like stucco, and it's in pipes that carry drinking water from Chicago to the suburbs.

The coating inside water mains to northwest and west suburbs is meant to protect people from lead in their water - but it may be causing another threat.

Suburban officials suspect the white gunk slows water flow and lowers water pressure, which could in turn cause higher water and insurance rates and inhibit fire-fighting capabilities.

"This is really startling," said Alan Poole, a commissioner for the DuPage Water Commission, and Naperville's utilities director.

The issue arose two years ago, when DuPage officials ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!