Join us for the following Water Related Events, Workshops, and Activities in 2023!

 2023 Talk and Tours

These popular programs showcase examples of Best Management Practices that have been successfully implemented in McHenry County.  The Talk and Tours are a collaborative effort with the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County and the McHenry County Department of Planning and Development. 

To register for events please RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/BMPTourSignup or email Scott Kuykendall, McHenry County Water Resources Specialist at: SHKuykendall@mchenrycountyil.gov

How to Create Successful Native Pollinator Gardens

Friday, July 28
1:00 to 3:00 PM

Johnsburg Junior High School (District 12)
2222 W. Church St. Johnsburg, IL 60051

Join us to tour a wonderful example of a native pollinator garden that was installed at Johnsburg Junior High School several years ago by students and Small Waters Education.

 Small Waters Education helps schools and community groups plan, create, and maintain native plantings to fit their site conditions. During this tour you’ll learn what it takes to complete a successful garden, including building community support, site assessment, design, planting, and ongoing care.  Join us to learn the steps to create a special spot that provides habitat for pollinators and benefits for people, including healthy outdoor learning spaces.

Green Infrastructure for Flood Mitigation

Friday, August 4
1:00 to 3:00 PM

Crystal Lake City Hall 
100 W Woodstock St., Crystal Lake, IL 60012

This program will demonstrate how green infrastructure and native vegetation can be used to effectively mitigate flooding in urbanized areas while providing a multitude of additional benefits.

We will meet at the Crystal Lake City Hall for a brief presentation and then travel by bus for guided tours at three green infrastructure projects.  The tours will showcase a naturalized regional detention system in a neighborhood that had experienced frequent flooding, a bioswale that provides erosion control and filters runoff before it flows into Crystal Lake, and a network of constructed wetlands that provide much needed flood relief in an older residential community prone to flooding.

 

Now is the Time to use SaltSmart Practices

Friday, September 22
1:00 to 3:00 PM

Ringers Landscaping
2101 IL-176, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

The excessive use of roadsalt for deicing in winter, particularly on parking lots and sidewalks, is polluting the drinking water we all rely on for life and economic opportunity. Fortunately, with Salt Smart practices we can maintain safety while eliminating the excess application of roadsalt that is commonly used.

 This program will showcase how Ringers Landscaping, a local business, has successfully and profitably integrated Salt Smart practices into their winter operations and business model. It will include demonstrations of how Ringers produces their own liquid brine that is applied to pavements before a snowstorm using a practice called “anti-icing”.  The liquid brine prevents ice from forming on pavement, which improves the contractor’s ability to remove snow and effectively maintain bare pavement while only applying a fraction of the salt used in more conventional practices.

 We will also learn about the new Salt Smart Training and Certification program for Parking Lots and Sidewalks that has been developed by the Salt Smart Collaborative for the state of Illinois. This exciting new training and certification program is designed to help successfully implement Salt Smart practices into your business, facility, or community. The time to start using Smart Salting practices is now and the new Salt Smart Training and Certification program will help you every step of the way.

 

!!!  SAVE THE DATE  !!!

2023 McHenry County
Water Forum

"Water Conservation"

 

Wednesday, September 13
5:30 to 8:00 PM

McHenry County College Auditorium

McHenry County is blessed with access to multiple sources of groundwater, but each of these resources have limitations on how much water is available.  If water is pumped faster than it is naturally recharged, then water levels drop.  This is particularly evident during periods of drought or rapid growth.  Regardless of where our water comes from, improving water conservation is critical to meet future demands for water.  Join us on September 13 to learn from experts how water conservation practices can be successfully implemented in McHenry County.

The McHenry County Water Forum provides a festive atmosphere where residents, businesses and elected officials can learn what makes the regions water supplies special and how water resources can be protected into the future. 

This free program, fully catered by Duke's Ale House and Kitchen, is held every fall at the McHenry County College and features presentations by scientists, planners, and engineers who specialize in water resources.  By the end of the program, attendees have a more solid understanding about water resources in McHenry County and are better informed to make decisions affecting the water supplies we all depend on. 

Our goal for the Water Forum is for our guests to go home smarter and fuller than they arrived.  This will be our sixth year holding the Water Forum and we have met this goal every year.  We look forward to seeing you on September 13!

Stay tuned for the detailed agenda, speaker bios, and the full menu.

 

For information on past events, including videos of the workshops and Water Forums, please visit our Water Resources Archived Events webpage.

 

For more information, contact Scott Kuykendall, Water Resources Specialist, SHKuykendall@mchenrycountyil.gov.

 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

A National Drinking Agenda for Drinking Water 

American Water Works Association (AWWA), Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), National Association of Water Companies and National Rural Water Association (NRWA) prepared a paper proposing a national strategy for drinking water.

• American Water Works Association
• AWWA Conferences

CMAP Wastewater Strategy Planning Report

CMAP is researching various planning strategies during the development of the GO TO 2040 regional comprehensive plan. Most recently, staff has prepared a draft paper on wastewater planning.

• Waste Disposal

U.S. EPA and U.S. Army Corps Release New Clean Water Act Guidance

The guidance document defines protected waters as those that are determined to be navigable-in-fact by the courts, are currently being used or have historically been used for commercial navigation, or could realistically be used for commercial navigation in the future.

• Clean Water Act Definition of "Waters of the United States" 

Green Solutions for Water Treatment Systems

American Rivers called on the National Governors Association and Past President Obama to make green solutions for the nation's water treatment systems, sewers and levees a top economic stimulus priority that will save money, create jobs, and improve public safety.

• Green Solutions

American Planning Association (APA)

Designing for Water Conservation Protect diminishing water resources at the site and neighborhood levels with proactive planning. Find out how to use local hydrology and knowledge of groundwater resources to protect the environment and private investment. Incorporate appropriate landscaping regulations to control runoff, minimize water usage, and maximize the effectiveness of water that is used.

• American Planning Association