ILLINOIS: NORTH Park WATER DISTRICT Water District Develops Wellhead Protection Plan Based on Source Water Assessment Background Location: The North Park Public Water District (NPPWD) provides 2,850,000 gallons of water per day to 11,700 service connections (serving a population of 32,000) to residential, commercial and industrial users and the City of Loves Park, Illinois, located in Winnebago County, Illinois. Water Supply: One public water system (ground water), consisting of 4 community water supply wells. Source Water Assessment: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) completed a source water assessment for the NPPWD and distributed it to the public water system and the general public. Priority Contamination Threats The system's source water is susceptible to Volatile Organic Chemical (VOC) contamination although detection of any quantifiable levels in the water has not occurred. VOCs are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production. Possible sources include gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems. Local Team and Developing the Protection Plan The NPPWD drafted a wellhead protection plan which was reviewed and approved by the IEPA. The District is currently implementing the plan. Steering Committee members include elected town officials, the water district officials, and concerned citizens. Management Measures The Illinois Environmental Protection Act establishes minimum protection zones of 200 and 400 feet for NPPWD's wells. These minimum protection zones are regulated by the IEPA. To further reduce the risk of contamination, the NPPWD has implemented a wellhead protection management plan that includes source water protection management strategies and contingency planning. This effort resulted in a reduced risk of contamination. As authorized by the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, NPPWD enacted a maximum setback zone ordinance that allows county and municipal officials the opportunity to Office of Water (4606M) 816F100010 January 2010 ------- provide additional potential source prohibitions up to 1,000 feet from their wells. NPPWD also developed a recharge area management program for its wells in order to further protect the community's source water from potential contamination sources. Contingency Planning Measuring Program Results For further information, contact: Mr. John Donahue NPPWD (815)633-5461 idonahue@northparkwater.org erice@northparkwater.org Office of Water (4606M) 816F100010 January 2010 ------- |