Wauconda, IL gets its water supply from source water. Source water refers to water from streams, rivers, lakes or underground aquifers. Wauconda’s water comes from four groundwater aquifers using eight wells located within the Village limits. The wells pump ground water from the aquifers to one of six drinking water treatment plants.
From approximately 1955 to 1978, the Wauconda Sand and Gravel site operated as a waste landfill and received about three million cubic yards of waste that were placed in licensed and unlicensed areas of the property. In 1978, the site was closed and covered with clay, soil and vegetation. Testing found the groundwater was contaminated with metals and dangerous organic compounds and pesticides. The US EPA became involved in 1986 and placed an order to investigate and clean up the site. By 1987 cleanup was completed, but in 2003 testing of residential wells found vinyl chloride contamination in eighty-eight wells. In 2009, EPA and PRPs made legal agreement to proceed with additional work to ensure safety of drinking water. There was a complete review in 2013 which found the cleanup continues to protect people. The next scheduled review will be in 2017.
Website: https://wauconda-il.gov/