Algonquin sponsoring annual Conservation Community Day

As part of its effort to promote sustainability, Algonquin is holding its annual Conservation Community Day on Friday, an event that this year will focus primarily on water.

The free, eighth-annual event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be held along the Woods Creek bike path.

In keeping with this year's theme, "From the faucet to the watershed," officials hope to educate residents on what happens to water once you flush the toilet, how the village treats and processes water and what locals can do to conserve water.

Suggestions include running the washing machine and dishwasher only when they're full, fixing leaky toilets and faucets and leaving the water off when you brush your teeth.

The event is part of the village's ongoing effort to become a more environmentally aware community. Most recently, Algonquin leaders began posting bike routes on the town's website to promote cycling.

"The village is really striving to become an environmentally friendly community and every year, we do more to increase our efforts," said Senior Planner Katie Parkhurst, organizer of this year's event. "So every year we're trying to do more, and this is our way to help share that with residents."

People of all ages are invited to attend. There will be activities for children that focus on creating crafts out of recycled materials.

For adults, nearly 20 organizations will be on hand to promote conservation efforts. Those groups include McHenry County Audubon Society, McHenry County Conservation District, Friends of the Fox River, Waste Management Recycle America EduCycle Center, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Algonquin's community development, public works and administration departments.

In past years, the event has attracted roughly 100 people, Parkhurst said. For more information, call Parkhurst at (847) 658-4184.