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As County Grows, so Do Water Concerns, Expert Tells Residents

Posted on: Tuesday, 24 January 2006, 21:00 CST

By Nancy Gier Daily Herald Staff Writer

Development in Kane County may reduce the groundwater in local aquifers and cause flooding, a groundwater expert said Saturday.

"What we do to the land affects the water," Harry Hendrickson told an audience of some 50 residents crammed into the orientation barn at Peck Farm Park in Geneva.

He is Illinois field coordinator for Trees Forever, an agency that plants and cares for trees to help the environment.

His talk was co-sponsored by the Kane County Forest Preserve District and the Geneva Park District.

"Paved areas aren't recharged, and they cause a runoff which can increase flooding," he explained.

Groundwater recharge is water that soaks into the ground but is not used by plants.

Surface runoff is due to paved or roofed surfaces, such as parking lots, buildings, homes, sidewalks and roads. There also is less evaporation in urban areas, which is part of the natural cycle of how rain falls and then goes back into the atmosphere.

Hendrickson said drought, as well as development, can reduce the water table and change the chemical analysis.

Safe groundwater is essential for safe drinking water. Old diseases such as dysentery and typhoid, as well as newer diseases, can be transmitted through water.

Hendrickson assured the group of mostly private well owners that Kane County is addressing the issue through a major study that should be completed within two and a half to three years.

The study is being done for the Kane County water resource department by the Illinois State Geological Survey and the Illinois State Water Survey, both part of the University of Illinois system.

"I think we'll find that a balance is needed between growth and preservation in order to maintain the local water system," he said.

Water recharge is needed to preserve the supply, and storm water management is a key to preventing flooding, he added.

Hendrickson also stressed local water quality can be preserved through sealing all abandoned wells.

"Abandoned wells are open holes; they are a huge concern," he said. "People throw pesticides and other contaminants into them, which affects neighboring water supplies."

Hendrickson was joined by Julie Wiegel, well program manager of the Kane County Health Department.

Wiegel told the group they should inspect their well caps periodically, make sure their septic systems are working properly and have their well water tested once a year.

Residents with wells can obtain test kits from the health department offices at 1240 N. Highland Ave. in Aurora, (630) 444- 3040; or at 76 S. Grove Ave. in Elgin, (847) 608-2850.

She said samples are sent to the public health lab in downtown Chicago.

Residents also can take samples to the DuPage County Health Department lab in Wheaton. There are nominal fees.

She said the health department will collect a sample at no charge if there is a problem collecting one.

Source: Daily Herald; Arlington Heights, Ill.

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