EPA Raids Chicago Suburb Accused of Providing Toxic Water to Residents

Criminal investigators from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency raided a suburban Chicago municipality today, presumably seeking information about the Village of Crestwood's alleged provision of contaminated well water to the public.

After raiding the village hall and Crestwood's public works department, the investigators planned to hit the police department next, reports the Chicago Tribune in a breaking news story.

The raid follows an investigative article published by the newspaper earlier this month. It reported that Crestwood had, for more than 20 years until 2007, been supplying residents with well water contaminated with toxic chemicals commonly used in dry cleaning, along with uncontaminated water from Lake Michigan. At the same time, village officials reportedly told residents their water came from Lake Michigan and told environmental officials that it would use well water only in emergencies.

Up to 20 percent of the village's water came from the well in some months, until the state tested the village's water for the first time in 20 years and discovered the contamination, the Tribune reported earlier this month. The well water operation was then closed down in 2007.

The breaking news article doesn't include any comment from village officials. However, the village mayor told angry residents in a meeting last week that Crestwood's water is safe, the Tribune reported in another article.

"Our water has always been safe to drink," said Mayor Robert Stranczek at the meeting on Saturday. "I can tell you the water is safe today, will be safe tomorrow and will be safe into the future."

Additional coverage:

CBS: "Criminal Charges Possible In Crestwood Water Case"