Groundwater contamination found in McHenry
McHENRY – Contaminated water in McHenry could lead officials to extend the public water supply as part of an estimated $600,000 to $1.1 million project, city officials said.
Chemicals associated with dry cleaning have been found by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in the groundwater in an area along the east side of the Fox River near Route 120, City Administrator Doug Maxeiner said.
A couple of decades ago there was a dry cleaner at 3004 W. Elm St., now home to Enterprise Rent-a-Car. The former dry cleaning operation is the likely cause of the contamination, Maxeiner added.
The City Council will discuss tonight the possibility of extending the public water supply to that area so the public wouldn’t be in contact with tainted well water. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at city hall, 333 S. Green St.
The first phase of the project would be $57,095 for engineering. The total construction is estimated to cost between $600,000 and $1.1 million, city documents show.
However, no funds are included in the city’s budget for the project. If the council votes to move forward with the project, funding for the engineering phase would come from the water and sewer fund. The city hopes to be reimbursed for that through state or federal funds or private property owners, according to city documents.
Funding sources for the construction phase remain unclear, Maxeiner said.
If you go:
What: McHenry City Council will discuss what to do about contaminated water along the east side of the Fox River near Route 120.
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: City Hall, 333 S. Green St., McHenry
