Elgin trying to identify yellow substance found in Tyler Creek

All eyes are on Tyler Creek this week as teams try to identify a yellow substance found in the water Friday and again on Monday near the intersection of Davis Road and Route 31 in Elgin.

Public works crews have spent hours probing the storm sewers with video equipment to find a source for the substance but had no luck.

Colby Basham, public works superintendent, said whatever it is, the yellow substance dilutes very quickly in the water. Crews were able to minimally test a very diluted sample this week but came to no conclusions. If the substance is seen again, Basham lined up more comprehensive testing to find out if the substance is dangerous.

Basham said his team is assuming it is relatively benign because of how quickly it dilutes in the water. When it was spotted on Monday it was almost undetectable after just a couple of hours.

The environmental concern is significant because Tyler Creek runs into the Fox River, where both Elgin and South Elgin pump water for public use.

“We want to find it so we can avoid future incidents,” Basham said. “That’s our main interest in it, to try to keep the watershed clean.”

Since the video probes turned up no evidence, Basham said, the public works department is basically on hold until the substance shows up again — if ever.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is aware of the issue and is trusting Elgin to lead the search of its own sewer pipes and waterways.

Enoch Mensah, IEPA engineer responsible for water pollution issues in Kane County, said there is nothing more anyone can do but keep an eye out.

“If somebody is dumping something, you may be looking into a manhole and they’re dumping somewhere else,” Mensah said. “It’s so hard.” If the pollutant is linked to an individual or business found to be intentionally disposing of it in the creek, fines would be expected both from the city of Elgin and the IEPA.