West Dundee chemical spill almost cleaned

West Dundee officials are set to prohibit the drilling of any well for potable water within 1,500 feet of dry cleaning site where a chemical leak was detected earlier this decade.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency wants village support for a groundwater monitoring ordinance as the final step in a process to clean up the site near Family Pride Cleaners, 537 W. Main St.

In 2001, a common but toxic dry cleaning solvent, tetrachloroethene - commonly known as PCE - was found in groundwater and soil samples at the site.

It is unknown how the chemical made its way into the groundwater and soil, or when the leak originated, but officials say public drinking water never was compromised.

Family Pride Cleaners has been at the location for more than 30 years, Village President Larry Keller said.

The ordinance bans private wells from being drilled within a 1,500-foot radius of the site, and the village has declared no public wells will be drilled in that range.

"The IEPA asked for this as a final step in mitigating this problem," Village President Larry Keller said. "The consultant doesn't believe there's any further leak and testing in groundwater and soil found minuscule amounts."

Siraa Smadi, staff geologist for Downers Grove-based Anderson Environmental Consulting, told trustees this week there is no evidence of a continuous leak, and that the concentration of PCE in the groundwater was comparable to "two eyedrops in a swimming pool."

Director of Public Works Richard Babica said the village's two deep wells are well outside of the 1,500-foot perimeter, with well #1 about 2000 feet away and well #5 about half a mile away.

"It's ultimately a safeguard," Babica said of the proposed ordinance.

The village board will consider the ordinance at its May 18 meeting.