Protecting our water and our residentsImagine a full glass of water. That glass has a straw in it. Where ever you place the straw within the glass, you are still drinking from the same container of water. That glass/straw scenario is how a well relates to an aquifer. Our Village has two aquifers, unfortunately the first aquifer has a surface water to ground water connection. What’s that mean? That means: Whatever goes into a storm drain, a pond, or a ditch will eventually make contact with the aquifer. Wait, that’s sounds scary? Scary or not, it’s factual. This is why the Village Board has been working hard to protect not only what goes into the water, but what is put on the ground – because, you know, it rains. Last year the Board passed the Ground Water Protection Ordinance. This ordinance limited certain chemicals that could be used around your house or in your yard that could find their way into the water supply. Our Village has made many changes over the years to prevent chemicals of any kind from getting into the water supply. It started off small, like becoming a phosphorus free Village, then moving to brine to lessen the amount of road salt in the winter, to finally the Ground Water Protection Ordinance. Last year there was a scare and out of concern for the health and safety for our residents the Village felt it had no choice but to run a water quality test on several homes. Thankfully, those homes tested clear for chemical contaminants. As a Village, we must remain vigilant in our protection of our ground water. If there are suspicious smells or spraying in your area, please call the Village Hall immediately. All of these activities now require a permit and plans to be reviewed by the Village Engineer. As a Village we must remain vigilant in our protection of our ground water. If there suspicious smells, or spraying in your area, please call Village Hall immediately. All of these activities now require a permit and plans to be reviewed by the Village Engineer.