Subdivision drainage subject of free workshop

Those detention ponds, drainage swales, wetlands and natural areas in your subdivision are important components of a designed stormwater drainage system.

A free workshop for homeowners associations (HOA) and property owners responsible for maintaining the systems will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19, at the Lake County Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Road., 2nd floor conference room, Libertyville. The workshop is sponsored by the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission.

Workshop topics include why stormwater drainage systems are important components of infrastructure in Lake County, maintenance techniques and practices, and typical problems and how they can be resolved. Two homeowners associations and their contractors will talk about typical stormwater system improvement projects from start to finish including funding challenges and buy-in from residents.

An attorney who specializes in homeowner association maintenance legalities will also be featured. Information on native plants, implementing a phosphorous ban, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s new aquatic pesticide use regulations, and HOA stormwater project funding sources will be provided.

“There are hundreds of homeowner associations throughout Lake County. Often associations either are not aware they are responsible for maintaining stormwater components or are not familiar with appropriate maintenance methods. The goal is to keep the systems working as designed, which is to control flooding and provide water quality benefits,” said Kurt Woolford, SMC chief engineer.

Preregistration is encouraged by calling (847) 377-7707 or email Darcy Hertel at dhertel@lakecountyil.gov.