Lake Zurich turns its focus to eco-friendly awareness, efforts

For many people, Earth Day provides a good reason to step back and consider ways to make a positive impact on the environment.

A new group in Lake Zurich is working to get people to think that way every day.

The Green Lake Zurich Team formed in mid-February as a task force commissioned by Village President Suzanne Branding. The seven-person team includes residents and village officials, and their action campaign for the warm months ahead looks to provide creative new ways for residents to go green.

“Our goal is to help people realize what they're capable of contributing for our planet,” said village Trustee Dana Rzeznik, the team's founder and co-chair. “Every little bit helps.”

Lake Zurich's Arbor-Earth Day Celebration Saturday at Paulus Park was one of the first chances this spring for residents to get to know the green team. In addition to kids' activities and “green routine” demonstrations, the team showcased its first major initiative — selling rain barrels to residents.

Rain barrels are placed under downspouts to collect storm runoff that can be used for watering plants, washing cars and other tasks. This can help lower water bills and ease the strain on the community's stormwater management system. A quarter-inch rainfall can yield up to 52 gallons of water from one roof.

“We don't need treated water for a lot of the things we use it for,” said Rzeznik, who is an engineer for the Environmental Protection Agency.

The task force is selling the 55-gallon rain barrels to residents pre-assembled for $40 per barrel, a value compared to barrels that can cost upward of $100 at most home improvement stores. Rzeznik said about 35 barrels have already been sold.

Coca-Cola donated 100 barrels to the task force, while the hardware, including spouts, screens and valves, were provided by Kansas State University at face value. Proceeds from barrel sales will cover hardware costs and provide prizes for the rain barrel painting contest that will take place in late July.

“It's a chance to make something fun and beautiful that's good for the earth,” Rzeznik said. “We want to get as many residents and community groups involved as we can.”

The Lake County Forest Preserve District also hosts rain barrel sales most springs, but Rzeznik said it was important to have a local effort.

“We wanted the program to be more community based, and we knew we could provide the barrels at a lower price,” Rzeznik said.

She said flooding that regularly occurs in several areas of the village helped inspire the rain barrel campaign.

“We have so much water that we can harness for useful purposes, and rain barrels can help curb some of the flood issues,” she said.

The Green Lake Zurich Team will also host a series of lectures and seminars at the Ela Area Public Library to educate residents on other green-friendly behaviors,

“It's really a win-win situation,” Branding said. “The work they're doing benefits everyone and really glues the community together with a common goal.”

Looking beyond this summer, Rzeznik said, the task force wants to partner with other water protection organizations and possibly Waste Management to plan environmental awareness events.

“We can show that it doesn't take a lot of money to accomplish something important,” Rzeznik said. “It's fun to see people come together with a goal and be proud of the place they live.”

To buy a rain barrel or for more information about the Green Lake Zurich Team, call (224) 279-7988 or visit www.greenlakezurich.org.