“This spring is hand pumped out, people have been collecting water for years. It gets busy on the weekends (LINES) so come during the week. I tested the water with home test kit. Lead -negative pesticide- negative Nitrate/nitrite no trace total hardness pretty high, as all water in IL is 120-250 Bacteria- the test turned purple means none detected Chlorine- none water very cold and keeps cold.” – Paul
Nearest Address
Cumberland and Irving Park intersection
Directions from Nearest Address
On south side of Irving park road (IL 19) west of Cumberland (IL 171) very easy to get to, in and out.
Hey folks! I too want to stop drinking chlorine and fluoride water. I’ve started drinking this water, but am also wondering where it’s from, what’s in it, etc. I called the County and they said the state Dept of Public Health is responsible for testing all the wells in the state. I was told they only test for bacteria and nitrates/nitrites, not for other contaminants. There are many contaminated wells in the country, and I imagine there’s been plenty of underground oil tanks, spills, and myriad other types of industrial waste in the area. There’s even underground nuclear waste storage along the Desplaines River! Anyway, it would be good to know what’s in the water, especially considering so many people drink it as their main water supply.
IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPLIT THE COST OF TESTING THIS WATER WITH ME, PLEASE REPLY TO THIS POST. THE TEST COSTS BETWEEN $79-$169, DEPENDING ON HOW MANY CONTAMINANTS WE WANT TO TEST FOR. WE COULD THEN POST THIS INFORMATION AT THE WELL FOR ALL TO SEE. I contacted the Public Health lab and they haven’t gotten back to me yet, but I’m fairly sure they haven’t conducted a comprehensive test (because it is pricy). Though anecdotal stories about 90 year olds are good, I also think it’s important to rely on some scientific data (some people smoke and are 90, but that doesn’t make it safe). I’d just like to get some data behind the idea that this spring is very healthy.
I could pitch in $10. I like the water and like that it’s free of chlorine and not fluoridated. It would be good to know what’s in it, especially compared to tap water, which of course is polluted too.
Just an fyi to all – this is a well, not really a spring. By definition a spring naturally flows out of the ground without a pump.
I still plan on testing it, but need to do the research first. If anyone has any layman’s info on water contaminants and how to interpret water tests, please forward the links.
I can put some money towards this too. Unrelated: has anyone here noticed a change in skin tone from drinking this water? I visited family this weekend and they remarked that my skin looks yellowish. Maybe a result of high sulfur content? I’ve been drinking this water almost exclusively for about 6 months. It’s the only thing I can think of, since I’m not eating loads of carrots, and health-wise I’ve never felt better. Any of
you other frequent spring-goers experiencing this?
I went to this pump today 2/3/12 and the handle was taken off and a red tag was applied ti the handle stated its being tested for treatment???? What’s the number you called to find out what this means and how long it will be shut down and why was it shut down….. OR has this pump been purchased by a corporation… Blue Gold or has it been shut down because of chemicals???
I ended up buying a RO system with the waste water being used for laundry, so I will be taking back my offer for testing funds.If you find out a corporation has taken over this well, please let us know. Whether I use this water or not, it’s just plain wrong and most likely illegal to give a corporation sole rights to bottle it. And if you know what government officials to contact also post that.
It would be a real shame if the county would exclude residents to use this as a source of revenue.
.Spoke to Gloria today and they should get tests back today or tomorrow. If the water test negative for contaminates they will put the handle back. So, no worries everyone:)
Can’t we just contact the Cook County Forest Preserve and ask them what’s up? I wanna go buy a 5-gallon thingie if everything checks out;) But one question: I think I drank from this thing and it smells like rotten eggs. Is that the sulphur and how could the water be so alkaline?
My whole family has been getting water from this spring for the past 10 years. We use 5 gallon water jugs with a water fountain. The initial investment is higher then other methods but it pays off in the long run and is very convenient. The jugs have to be cleaned once every 3 months due to algae growth. But it’s no big deal. I clean it with baking soda and bottle brush and rinse with hydrogen peroxide.
The water tastes great, and none of us have ever developed any health problems that we could attribute to it. One time I met an older gentlemen by the pump who said he’s been drinking this water for the past 50 years. He was 90 at that time and he praised that spring for his longevity.
The place gets very busy in late afternoon hours (between 5 pm — 8pm), and on the weekends. It’s a good idea to have a funnel or a small piece of a 2 by 4 or something else to put underneath the bottle so it aligns with the pump outlet. Otherwise, the bottle has to be held at an angle by hand and in the Winter it can be too cold to hold it in place.
I also heard stories of folks having their cars robbed, so it’s important to lock the doors, especially if it’s dark and busy with folks coming in and out. Some people leave their trunks wide open, so it’s easy to invite opportunistic thieves.
It’s also very common to see large herds of deer very close to the pump. Unfortunately, people bring left over food and feed it to the deer, and it’s a problem. So please do not feed the deer, they can find their own sources of food in the close by woods.
Does anyone know how deep this well it? Any geologists aware of the rock composition that the well is going through?
I recently visited this pump yesterday for the first time. 10-25-19 . I have been drinking this water now for over 24 hours. My tds tester stated 475 .
The quality of the water tastes very rich and pure I doubt its contaminated or I would be very sick not able to login from my home healthy enough to comment. I also ran into several individuals locally here at this pump, who had nothing but good to say about this water. They have been utilizing this resource for decades. Also the comments here on this website, from individuals that have verified that this water is great. So my experience of collection for this water is that it tastes natural, with a cooling to it. Very clear and great tasting. So this is now my water alternative. I would definitely recommend this to my family and friends now that I find it safe testing it on myself first. I would recommend for anyone to always take precaution into checking the clarity of the waters appearance for your own protection for consumption all the time!
The Fountain of Youth is good to go! I called the Well Division of the Cook County Forest Preserve at the number (708) 771-1551 and the Gloria who works their was very helpful told me that someone has been stealing handles from the pumps and that a police report was filed today. Also, they tested the water and it tested well (pun). So call Gloria at the number above if you have any other questions about any wells in the Cook County area.
I went there today, a week day. It was worth the hour drive to get there. The water tastes clean and pure with a fairly high mineral content. The pump worked fine. Since it took me awhile to get there I filled up a bunch of bottles – odds n’ ends of bottles I’ve saved. While there a few other folks came for water – some to fill cups or water bottles, one with a 1/2 gal. bottle, and a couple with 5-gal. bottles. No one had to wait more than a couple of minutes for a turn at the pump, which was working just fine. Everyone who came by while I was there was from the area, and said there are always lines on the weekends. So glad for this site, and loving the fluoride-free, chlorine-free water!
I went today and got water at a different pump in the forest. It came out clear but when we got home all the water was yellow. Is this normal? Safe to drink? Thank you for any info!
I don’t think that’s normal.That might be ground water. The water I pump from the spring here is crystal clear. Do you know if the handle was still missing in that main pump?
I did drive by the pump and no one was there. So I’m not sure if it has been fixed. I went to a pump on the street that runs into Irving park. I guess that pump gets water from a different source?
We used to have a pump in my backyard as a kid. It always came out yellow when no one used it for a while (can’t remember how long it would sit). All we had to do was “prime” it – – meaning, just pump a bunch of water out until it runs clear. My guess is that you just needed to prime it.
I did the same thing and when we got it home it turning yellow. I’m not sure if were going to drink it yet. The main is still not operating so we went into the forest to pump. It also had a egg smell
What is the ideal container to pump into? I have never done this before but I am so sick of feeding my son chlorine and fluoride and want to try this well. Is there bacteria in the water? Would it mess up the molecular structure to run it through a charcoal filter? Any advice is much appreciated!
I like this water as is. I really think it is the fountain of youth. It’s a little hard, but it’s good mineral water! Comes out cold and quick, and it passes my feel, taste, and intuition test. Drink up!
Drinking pure spring water is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Our bodies are over 99% water at the molecular level, so water affects every aspect of our biology. Yet, not all water is created equal. Almost all the bottled spring water available is pasteurized for shelf stability, which neutralizes many of the powerful health benefits such as increased hydrogen, healthy probiotics, and crystalline structure. For more about why unprocessed spring water is the best water to drink, read this.
The best way to guarantee you are getting real unprocessed spring water is to collect it yourself. This is a short and simple guide filled with information about how to gather spring water. We will cover how to find a spring, how to collect the water, how to honor the spring, how to store the water properly and other tips.
FindASpring.org is the best resource for locating a spring near you. However, not all springs are on the map. First, check the map to see if there is a spring in your local area. If there is, look at the reviews and comments. Has anyone shared helpful information about flow rate or posted a water test result? Is the spring in a pristine area? Do a bit of research and make sure the spring is safe to drink from. If you have any doubt about the purity, don’t risk it and get a water test, HERE. If you don’t see a spring on the map in your area, there still might be some that aren’t listed yet. First, ask the older generation who have lived in your area a long time if they know. You can also ask people in your community who might already get spring water such as people at a health food store or at a farmers market. Another great option is to view A US forest service map, where many springs have been marked. You can view these maps through the Gaia GPS or All Trails hiking apps on your phone. The map overlay you want is USGS Topo. Not all are easily accessible or ideal for drinking, but some are and it can be a fun adventure to find them. We have found over half a dozen great springs this way.
Once you’ve found your spring, figure out how you are going to gather the water. Is it right on the side of the road and easy to access or do you have to hike to it? We recommend storing spring water in glass instead of plastic to preserve the purity of the water. It is better for the environment, your body, and the water. Even BPA free plastic has toxic chemicals that can leach into water and cause health issues. If you do want to use plastic for safety reasons when filling at the spring, we recommend transferring the water to glass as soon as possible. FindASpring is sponsored by Alive Waters, which offers beautiful reusable glass. They have a 2.5 gallon option, which is a convenient size for carrying that isn’t too heavy. They also sell handles that you can use to transport the jugs even more easily. If you have to hike to access the spring, we recommend putting the water jugs into an extra large backpack to hike the water out with ease. We use Osprey packs that hold 2 jugs each. You can also use a wheelbarrow or even a stroller depending on how easy a walk it is.
Filling 2.5 Gallon Alive Waters Jug
When you get to the spring, remember to first give back before you take. Springs are considered sacred in indigenous cultures around the world for their life giving water and also as a connection to the inner earth. A powerful and simple way to give back is to clean up. Is there any trash that needs to be collected? Could you move any dead leaves or sticks to improve the flow rate? Show up in service. Some other wonderful ways to give is with a moment of expressing verbal gratitude, singing songs to the water, offering the water an ethically sourced crystal, a feather, or some other physical gift. Flowers are a popular and beautiful thing to offer, but please be careful to source organic ones as most flowers from the store are sprayed with pesticides and can be toxic to put near a spring. Also, flowers can attract bugs as they decay, so it can be best to offer them to the flowing water directly or a little downstream from the spring head.
When gathering the water, fill the jug as close to the spring head as possible, never gather downstream. Be very careful as wet glass is extremely slippery. Make sure the lid is securely fastened. When transporting the spring water home, the jugs can sometimes slide around the car. Secure them in place or wrap them with towels or something so they don’t crash into each other.
How you store your spring water is essential. It is not pasteurized like spring water from the store, so it will start growing algae if left in direct sunlight. This is good because it means it’s alive! If the water you drink can’t even support the most basic life forms, how do you think it will support your body? Store your water in a cool, dark place such as a dark corner, pantry or closet. The fridge is ideal if you have room. Some people prefer to filter their water through a Berkey filter before drinking, but if the spring is pure, it’s not necessary. We drink our spring water completely unfiltered.
How long the water stays good for depends on how cold a temperature it’s stored at. Spring water is best fresh. We personally do not prefer to drink spring water past 2 weeks old. However, we know other people that will drink it at a month old. It’s great to get in a rhythm where you know how long the water lasts you and put your collection day on the calendar in advance.
I believe that water is calling us to reconnect with her in the deepest way, to gather our own water. Just like our ancestors did. Our ancestors didn’t have fancy water machines. They also didn’t create villages or settle where there was no water. Water was revered as the center of the community and the nodal point around which life could spiral out and take root.
Here’s to restoring the sacred connection with the waters of life.
Written by Dakota Chanel. Water Priestess and Ceremonialist. DakotaChanel.com
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Tamar
Vladimir
Just tested this water. No chlorine. No fluoride. Let me know if you are looking for any other info!
THANK YOU! 2023 how is it doing?
Pesticides?
Hey folks! I too want to stop drinking chlorine and fluoride water. I’ve started drinking this water, but am also wondering where it’s from, what’s in it, etc. I called the County and they said the state Dept of Public Health is responsible for testing all the wells in the state. I was told they only test for bacteria and nitrates/nitrites, not for other contaminants. There are many contaminated wells in the country, and I imagine there’s been plenty of underground oil tanks, spills, and myriad other types of industrial waste in the area. There’s even underground nuclear waste storage along the Desplaines River! Anyway, it would be good to know what’s in the water, especially considering so many people drink it as their main water supply.
IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPLIT THE COST OF TESTING THIS WATER WITH ME, PLEASE REPLY TO THIS POST. THE TEST COSTS BETWEEN $79-$169, DEPENDING ON HOW MANY CONTAMINANTS WE WANT TO TEST FOR. WE COULD THEN POST THIS INFORMATION AT THE WELL FOR ALL TO SEE. I contacted the Public Health lab and they haven’t gotten back to me yet, but I’m fairly sure they haven’t conducted a comprehensive test (because it is pricy). Though anecdotal stories about 90 year olds are good, I also think it’s important to rely on some scientific data (some people smoke and are 90, but that doesn’t make it safe). I’d just like to get some data behind the idea that this spring is very healthy.
I could pitch in $10. I like the water and like that it’s free of chlorine and not fluoridated. It would be good to know what’s in it, especially compared to tap water, which of course is polluted too.
Just an fyi to all – this is a well, not really a spring. By definition a spring naturally flows out of the ground without a pump.
I still plan on testing it, but need to do the research first. If anyone has any layman’s info on water contaminants and how to interpret water tests, please forward the links.
I can put some money towards this too. Unrelated: has anyone here noticed a change in skin tone from drinking this water? I visited family this weekend and they remarked that my skin looks yellowish. Maybe a result of high sulfur content? I’ve been drinking this water almost exclusively for about 6 months. It’s the only thing I can think of, since I’m not eating loads of carrots, and health-wise I’ve never felt better. Any of
you other frequent spring-goers experiencing this?
Did you ever test this water source?
I went to this pump today 2/3/12 and the handle was taken off and a red tag was applied ti the handle stated its being tested for treatment???? What’s the number you called to find out what this means and how long it will be shut down and why was it shut down….. OR has this pump been purchased by a corporation… Blue Gold or has it been shut down because of chemicals???
I ended up buying a RO system with the waste water being used for laundry, so I will be taking back my offer for testing funds.If you find out a corporation has taken over this well, please let us know. Whether I use this water or not, it’s just plain wrong and most likely illegal to give a corporation sole rights to bottle it. And if you know what government officials to contact also post that.
It would be a real shame if the county would exclude residents to use this as a source of revenue.
.Spoke to Gloria today and they should get tests back today or tomorrow. If the water test negative for contaminates they will put the handle back. So, no worries everyone:)
Can’t we just contact the Cook County Forest Preserve and ask them what’s up? I wanna go buy a 5-gallon thingie if everything checks out;) But one question: I think I drank from this thing and it smells like rotten eggs. Is that the sulphur and how could the water be so alkaline?
I can kick in $10 towards the test. Hopefully others will come forward as well.
My whole family has been getting water from this spring for the past 10 years. We use 5 gallon water jugs with a water fountain. The initial investment is higher then other methods but it pays off in the long run and is very convenient. The jugs have to be cleaned once every 3 months due to algae growth. But it’s no big deal. I clean it with baking soda and bottle brush and rinse with hydrogen peroxide.
The water tastes great, and none of us have ever developed any health problems that we could attribute to it. One time I met an older gentlemen by the pump who said he’s been drinking this water for the past 50 years. He was 90 at that time and he praised that spring for his longevity.
The place gets very busy in late afternoon hours (between 5 pm — 8pm), and on the weekends. It’s a good idea to have a funnel or a small piece of a 2 by 4 or something else to put underneath the bottle so it aligns with the pump outlet. Otherwise, the bottle has to be held at an angle by hand and in the Winter it can be too cold to hold it in place.
I also heard stories of folks having their cars robbed, so it’s important to lock the doors, especially if it’s dark and busy with folks coming in and out. Some people leave their trunks wide open, so it’s easy to invite opportunistic thieves.
It’s also very common to see large herds of deer very close to the pump. Unfortunately, people bring left over food and feed it to the deer, and it’s a problem. So please do not feed the deer, they can find their own sources of food in the close by woods.
Does anyone know how deep this well it? Any geologists aware of the rock composition that the well is going through?
I recently visited this pump yesterday for the first time. 10-25-19 . I have been drinking this water now for over 24 hours. My tds tester stated 475 .
The quality of the water tastes very rich and pure I doubt its contaminated or I would be very sick not able to login from my home healthy enough to comment. I also ran into several individuals locally here at this pump, who had nothing but good to say about this water. They have been utilizing this resource for decades. Also the comments here on this website, from individuals that have verified that this water is great. So my experience of collection for this water is that it tastes natural, with a cooling to it. Very clear and great tasting. So this is now my water alternative. I would definitely recommend this to my family and friends now that I find it safe testing it on myself first. I would recommend for anyone to always take precaution into checking the clarity of the waters appearance for your own protection for consumption all the time!
So what happened to the pump now?? The handle is gone again and there is a small red tag that says closed for treatment????
1/31: I went there today and the pump handle is off! Does anyone know anything about this? Thanks.
The Fountain of Youth is good to go! I called the Well Division of the Cook County Forest Preserve at the number (708) 771-1551 and the Gloria who works their was very helpful told me that someone has been stealing handles from the pumps and that a police report was filed today. Also, they tested the water and it tested well (pun). So call Gloria at the number above if you have any other questions about any wells in the Cook County area.
Had Water Tested. Ph 7.7. TDS 600 and Total Hardness 240
What exactly is TDS and is 600 bad?
How long have all you been drinking from this spring (well)? Does the high TDS have any negative effects over time? Thank you!!
I went there today, a week day. It was worth the hour drive to get there. The water tastes clean and pure with a fairly high mineral content. The pump worked fine. Since it took me awhile to get there I filled up a bunch of bottles – odds n’ ends of bottles I’ve saved. While there a few other folks came for water – some to fill cups or water bottles, one with a 1/2 gal. bottle, and a couple with 5-gal. bottles. No one had to wait more than a couple of minutes for a turn at the pump, which was working just fine. Everyone who came by while I was there was from the area, and said there are always lines on the weekends. So glad for this site, and loving the fluoride-free, chlorine-free water!
Thank the heavens! Something closer than Kenosha! Thank you!!!!
I went today and got water at a different pump in the forest. It came out clear but when we got home all the water was yellow. Is this normal? Safe to drink? Thank you for any info!
I don’t think that’s normal.That might be ground water. The water I pump from the spring here is crystal clear. Do you know if the handle was still missing in that main pump?
I did drive by the pump and no one was there. So I’m not sure if it has been fixed. I went to a pump on the street that runs into Irving park. I guess that pump gets water from a different source?
We used to have a pump in my backyard as a kid. It always came out yellow when no one used it for a while (can’t remember how long it would sit). All we had to do was “prime” it – – meaning, just pump a bunch of water out until it runs clear. My guess is that you just needed to prime it.
I did the same thing and when we got it home it turning yellow. I’m not sure if were going to drink it yet. The main is still not operating so we went into the forest to pump. It also had a egg smell
Are there any updates on the broken handle to the water pump ?
I called the Forest Preserve department and they said someone stole the handle. It has been replaced so it is good to go.
What is the ideal container to pump into? I have never done this before but I am so sick of feeding my son chlorine and fluoride and want to try this well. Is there bacteria in the water? Would it mess up the molecular structure to run it through a charcoal filter? Any advice is much appreciated!
Glass
I like this water as is. I really think it is the fountain of youth. It’s a little hard, but it’s good mineral water! Comes out cold and quick, and it passes my feel, taste, and intuition test. Drink up!
the coordinates for this place are off , these are right 41.952122,-87.844003
Updated. Thanks!
when you put these in http://www.maps.google.com look for the green arrow not the A point
the coordinates for this place are off , these are right 41.952122,-87.844003