Wauconda to push clean water initiative

Wauconda village board members have agreed to move forward with a resolution to educate the public about how phosphorous levels in landscape fertilizer can adversely affect lake water.

That public education effort would include making information available on the village website and through other normal means of communication, such as the village newsletter.

The village also would support Lake County's efforts to place residential regulations on use of phosphorous-containing fertilizer.

Meeting as a committee of the whole, trustees reviewed a proposed resolution to be voted on at the Oct. 5 village board meeting.

Lake County has determined some lakes in the Fox River Watershed have excessive algae and weed growth that inhibit the fish population. The Bangs Lake Advisory Committee brought the zero-phosphorous ordinance idea to the attention of the village.

Excess phosphorous leaves a site through stormwater runoff and finds its way to lakes, streams wetlands, ponds, retention and detention areas. Phosphorous makes waterways vulnerable to undesirable biological growth such as weeds, and depletes oxygen in the water needed for organisms to survive.

Wauconda's Environmental Committee, chaired by Trustee Jean Mayo, agreed that because the village lacked resources to enforce a zero-phosphorous ordinance, it would be best to educate the public about reducing use of phosphorous-containing fertilizers.

Lake County communities with zero-phosphorus ordinances include Antioch, Highland Park, Lindenhurst, Long Grove, Riverwoods, Third Lake and Vernon Hills. The ordinances require voluntary compliance.

Jackie Soccorso, Wauconda's director of environmental quality and superintendent of administration, public works, said municipalities do not have the power to prohibit the sale of fertilizer containing phosphorous.

She said the village will work with the Bangs Lake committee to inform local businesses about the adverse affects of phosphorous in fertilizers they may be selling.