McHenry County forum to educate public on groundwater resources

Amid efforts to manage future groundwater supplies, McHenry County experts are hosting a forum next week to educate the public about where their water comes from and how to keep those resources sustainable.

Finding a long-term solution for providing safe and affordable drinking water has been top of mind for county officials over the last decade, said Scott Kuykendall, water resources specialist. Staff members and other experts have been extensively researching the area's aquifers - the source of all drinking water in the county - and the fluctuation of water levels and quality over time, he said.

The groundwater supply is enough to meet the county's current needs, Kuykendall said. But as the local economy starts to rebound and the potential for new development increases, he said, the county could face a shortage in the coming years, especially if water resources are not handled properly.

"Groundwater is actually a very good source of drinking water as long as you take care of it," he said. "In order to protect what we have ... and use it as part of our economic development, we need to be aware of what we have and how we're managing it."

The water forum, Nov. 8 at McHenry County College, will include presentations from scientists who map and monitor the county's water supplies. The discussions and modules are geared toward business owners, new residents, elected officials, municipal staff members and potential investors, Kuykendall said.

"The (topic) of water is going to be a big issue moving forward," he said. "We really want this to be open to a broad cross-section of people."

McHenry County created a special task force in 2007 to develop a Water Resources Action Plan, which outlines potential conservation efforts such as tracking water levels, educating water users and controlling economic development.

When the economic downturn halted residential and commercial growth, concerns over the county's water supply became less pressing, county Administrator Peter Austin said. A water resources manager position was vacated in 2012, and its responsibilities were absorbed by another division.

In recent years, however, policymakers realized the issue deserved more attention and began pushing to recreate a position solely focused on groundwater management, Austin said.

Kuykendall, who was hired in February, says his goal is to implement water conservation procedures and revive relevant portions of the action plan. By hosting public events, he said, he hopes to make residents, businesses and government entities aware of the county's water issues while teaching them not to take water resources for granted.

The forum, which is free and open to the public, is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the MCC auditorium at 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.

Speakers include local experts; hydrogeologists from the Illinois State Geological Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey; and Mary Ann Dickinson, CEO of the Chicago-based Alliance for Water Efficiency.

"Our groundwater resources are a result of our unique geology in the area. It really is fascinating," Kuykendall said. "It'll be a great way for people to learn what's under foot in their own town."