Village of Wauconda
Department of Environmental Quality
302 Slocum Lake Road
847-526-9610
Jackie Soccorso
Director of Environmental Quality
Superintendent of Administration – Public Works
jsoccorso@wauconda-il.gov
Department Programs
Industrial Pretreatment
The Industrial Pretreatment Program serves to protect the Village’s publicly owned treatment works (POTW), commonly referred to as the wastewater treatment plant, from upset and pass-through by reducing or eliminating discharges of harmful pollutants. This is accomplished through business registration, inspection, and wastewater sampling. Industrial dischargers are required to use treatment technologies and best management practices to reduce or eliminate the discharge of harmful pollutants to the sanitary sewer. Without these controls, many harmful pollutants could make their way through the treatment plant and into area streams, rivers, and lakes. To obtain a copy of the Village’s pretreatment ordinance, click here.
Registration Requirements
All new businesses in town, regardless of type, must register with the Environmental Quality Department before they begin operation. Registration consists of a registration form and one-time registration fee of $50.00. Registration forms can be picked up at the Village Hall, or you can click here to download the form. An inspection of the business (prior to opening) by the EQ Department may or may not be required, depending upon the nature of the operation. Similarly, a wastewater discharge permit may or may not be required. This registration is required in accordance with the Village’s Industrial Pretreatment Program which is required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Industrial Pretreatment is a core part of the Federal Clean Water Act. The Village’s program is modeled after federal pretreatment regulations.
Wastewater Survey Requirements
All existing businesses in town, regardless of type, must complete an annual wastewater survey and return it to the Environmental Quality Department. This short survey collects information regarding the volume and characteristics of wastewater that each business discharges to the sanitary sewer system. The purpose of this survey is to ensure that the Village’s wastewater treatment facility remains protected from upset and pass-through. The wastewater survey will be mailed out to all businesses once per calendar year and will include a due date for submittal.
Wastewater Discharge Permits
The information obtained through business registration and initial inspection will determine whether or not the business is required to obtain a wastewater discharge permit. Businesses will be classified as either a commercial, industrial, or significant industrial user. Wastewater discharge permits are required for all businesses classified as significant industrial users. A significant industrial user (SIU) meets any or all of the following:
- Industrial users subject to Federal Categorical Pretreatment Standards
- Any other industrial user that:
- Discharges an average of 25,000 gpd or more of process wastewater
- Contributes a process wastestream which makes up 5% or more of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic capacity of the treatment plant
- Is designated as significant by the Village on a basis that the industrial user has a reasonable potential for adversely affecting the POTW’s operation or for violating any pretreatment standard or requirementA wastewater discharge permit application can be downloaded by clicking here. Please contact the Environmental Quality Department at 847-487-3575 for more information.
Inspection and SamplingAll significant industrial users (SIUs) will be inspected and sampled by the Village at least annually. Additional inspection and sampling may be done at the discretion of the Village. Wastewater discharge permits may also require that the SIU perform its own sampling. In addition, non-permitted industrial users may also be inspected and sampled at the Village’s discretion for the purposes of protecting the POTW from harmful discharges and ensuring that the business is in compliance with pretreatment regulations. Inspections and sampling may be announced or unannounced. The business is required to provide ready access to all parts of the premises to the Village for the purposes of inspection, sampling, records examination and copying, and the performance of additional duties to ensure that pretreatment regulations are being met.
Grease Abatement
A vital component of the Industrial Pretreatment program is grease abatement. Excess amounts of fats, oil, and grease (FOG) that enter the sanitary sewer system can clog pipes and result in sanitary sewer overflows into businesses, homes, or out into the street. All food service establishments are required to have and properly maintain adequate grease interceptors/traps for effective removal of FOG. To obtain a copy of the Village’s grease regulations, click here to view specific ordinances (54.035 and 54.036). To obtain a copy of the National Restaurant Association’s FOG Control Tool Kit, please click here.
General Grease Interceptor/Grease Trap Requirements
- Owners are required to obtain approval from the Village prior to installing, modifying, or altering any grease interceptor/trap.
- All grease interceptors/traps are required to be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.
- Physical, chemical, and/or biological additives are generally prohibited and require prior approval by the Village.
- All food service establishments are required to maintain a written record on site of all maintenance performed upon a grease interceptor/grease trap for 3 years after the date of such maintenance.
Cleaning and Maintenance
- All units are required to be properly maintained in good working order.
- All units are required to be serviced and emptied of FOG and solids at least every 90 days, but may need to be serviced more often to keep the FOG and solids level below 25% of the total depth of the unit.
- The owner is responsible for the proper removal and lawful disposal of the grease interceptor/trap waste.
- Grease interceptor/trap waste shall not be discharged directly to the sanitary sewer.
- Owners may service their own units or may contract with a vendor to provide that service. For a list of local area grease removal businesses, click here.
InspectionAll food service establishments that generate FOG may be inspected on a regular basis to ensure that the grease interceptors/traps are being properly maintained and that FOG are not entering the sanitary sewer system. Inspections may be announced or unannounced. The business is required to provide ready access to all parts of the premises to the Village for the purposes of inspection, sampling, records examination and copying, and the performance of additional duties to ensure that pretreatment regulations are being met.
Residential Disposal of Used Cooking Grease
All residents are encouraged to dispose of cooking grease and oil by pouring into an empty metal can. Once the grease hardens, the can may be placed in the regular garbage. Residents can also stop by the Environmental Quality Department to pick up a special “fat trapper” designed for domestic grease disposal. Grease should not be poured down the drain or into toilets.
Stormwater Management
The Environmental Quality Department shares responsibility for stormwater management with the Public Works Department, Building and Zoning Department, and Village Engineer. The Village must maintain compliance with stormwater programs as outlined by the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II MS4 Permit
In 2003, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) began issuing to small municipalities, an NPDES General Storm Water Permit for discharges from the separate storm sewer system. The original permit covered 2003-2008. The current permit was issued on February 20, 2009 and expires on March 31, 2014. As part of the permit renewal process, the Village submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to IEPA. Click here to view the NOI. Also since 2003, the Village has submitted annual reports to IEPA. Click here to view the 2009 Annual Report.
What is Stormwater runoff?
Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground. Polluted stormwater runoff is a leading cause of impairment to the nearly 40 percent of surveyed U.S. water bodies which do not meet water quality standards. Over land or via storm sewer systems, polluted runoff is discharged, often untreated, directly into local water bodies. When left uncontrolled, this water pollution can result in the destruction of fish, wildlife, and aquatic life habitats; a loss in aesthetic value; and threats to public health due to contaminated food, drinking water supplies, and recreational waterways. Click here for A Citizen’s Guide to Maintaining Stormwater Best Management Practices.
10 Things You Can Do To Prevent Stormwater Runoff Pollution
- Use fertilizers sparingly and sweep up driveways, sidewalks, and roads
- Never dump anything down storm drains
- Vegetate bare spots in your yard
- Compost your yard waste
- Avoid pesticides; learn about Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces
- Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in the driveway
- Check car for leaks, and recycle motor oil
- Pick up after your pet
- Have your septic tank pumped regularly
Mosquito Control
The mosquito abatement program runs May-September. The Village of Wauconda contracts with Clarke Mosquito Control to administer our Environmental Mosquito Management™ Program. It is an extensive integrated pest management plan that includes inspections, surveillance of mosquito populations, and treatments for both larval and adult mosquito control. Our program is based on disease prevention. Our program with Clarke does not eradicate the mosquito population, but controls it to prevent West Nile Virus.
Surveillance and Monitoring
Clarke Mosquito Control conducts ten inspections during the mosquito season of up to 118 sites within the village for mosquito breeding. GIS System mapping and aerial surveys from a helicopter assist in determining possible mosquito breeding sites.
Clarke employs a Targeted Mosquito Management System computer database and site management system to track the information needed to administer the program for the Village of Wauconda. Records are kept that track the sites that produce larvae, the various species of mosquitoes found, the type of habitat developing larvae, plus other pertinent data.
Larval Control
According to the Center for Disease Control, larval control is an effective way to reduce mosquito populations. Larval treatments are administered to prevent the larva from developing into an adult mosquito. The sites receiving larval treatment are determined from the surveillance and monitoring activities. Larvicide applications are made on foot, by vehicle, or through the use of Clarke’s helicopter.
In addition, Clarke treats 733 storm sewer catch basins, inlets and manholes with a larvicide treatment four times during the mosquito season. The treatment is a 30 day slow release insecticide and is started in early summer to prevent larval development.
Clarke also responds to calls from residents or staff for additional site inspections.
Adult Mosquito Management
Generally speaking, three community wide adulticiding treatments (spraying) are conducted every year. Three treatments are included in the contract price. Additional treatments are available at an additional cost. There have been some years in which the Village did spray more than three times due to the threat of West Nile Virus. The results of this year’s surveillance and monitoring will determine the need for adulticiding treatments this year. It is important to note that spraying provides a quick knock-down of mosquito populations; however, it is considered a last line of defense. Larval control is key to controlling mosquito populations.
West Nile Virus
The Culex pipiens, or house mosquito, is the predominant species of mosquito that carries the West Nile Virus. It is a mosquito that flies and feeds at dusk or in the evening. It tends to breed in stagnant water such as that found in containers – old tires, birdbaths that haven’t been cleaned, ditches with decaying leaves or grass, boats with rainwater, pools that haven’t been cleaned or do not have chlorine, and other stagnant waters. Wetlands are not considered a source of Culex mosquitoes because the water in a wetland is clean. In addition to the mosquito control conducted by Clarke, residents are also asked to eliminate any standing water on their properties. Also, when outdoors, residents are encouraged to apply insect repellent that includes DEET or picaridin, according to label instructions. And if possible, shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt should be worn.
The Aedes mosquito is the most common mosquito and that is the mosquito that hatches after a rainfall. However, it is not considered a vector of the West Nile Virus. It is considered a “nuisance” mosquito.
Clarke Mosquito Control has a hotline established to answer all residents’ questions and concerns. The number is 1-800-942-2555. Please feel free to call them anytime for additional general information or for more specific information regarding your particular subdivision. They can give you detailed information about the numbers and types of mosquitoes found in your area and the methods they are using to control them. You can also call them to be placed on a notification list for sprayings.
Hazardous Emissions
The hazardous emissions program serves to protect the lake, wetlands, and other natural areas from the unlawful discharge of pollutants that have the potential to harm the environment. Examples of these types of pollutants are paint, household cleaners, chemicals, motor oil, gasoline, anti-freeze, misapplied pesticides, misapplied fertilizers, etc.
No person shall discharge or allow a hazardous substance to enter the environment. The person or persons responsible may be held liable for all costs incurred by the Village for proper clean-up. For more information, click here to view the hazardous emissions ordinance
