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9/28/23, 11:11 AM Item Coversheet <br /> t9 <br /> Public Works <br /> DATE: 8/11/2023 <br /> MEMO: 2023-83 <br /> TO: Honorable Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe and City Council Members <br /> FROM: Scot Wrighton,City Manager <br /> Jon Kindseth, Deputy City Manager <br /> Matt Newell,P.E.,Public Works Director <br /> SUBJECT: <br /> Ordinance Prohibiting the Use of Groundwater as a Potable Water Supply by the Installation or Use of Potable Water <br /> Supply Wells or by any Other Method within a Certain Area of Decatur,Former Decatur Manufactured Gas Production <br /> Site 515 East Main Street <br /> SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: <br /> It is recommended that the City Council approve the following: <br /> 1.A Ground Water Ordinance prohibiting the use of groundwater as a potable water supply for the designated area south and <br /> west of a former manufactured gas plant located at 515 East Main Street. <br /> 2.A Resolution authorizing a Highway Authority Agreement and Environmental Indemnity Agreement between the City of <br /> Decatur and Ameren Illinois for portions of the City right of way on Wood Street and Industry Court. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> City staff was contacted by Ameren Illinois regarding their remediation efforts resulting from soil contamination associated with <br /> the operation of a former manufactured gas plant. The contaminants identified in the Highway Authority Agreement extend <br /> beyond the property located at 515 East Main impacting both ground water and soil. The contaminated soil at the site have been <br /> removed. <br /> Ground Water Ordinance: <br /> A Ground Water Ordinance is a tool used by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency(IEPA)to remediate properties where <br /> soil and ground water under the site have been contaminated by chemicals. The ordinance prohibits the use of groundwater as a <br /> potable water supply for the area identified in the ordinance as having the maximum potential for ground water contamination <br /> from the site. <br /> The major benefit of a ground water ordinance is that it serves to keep contaminated water isolated underground and not allow it to <br /> be used for human consumption or come in contact with people or animals. The ground water use prohibition area is served by the <br /> City's public water supply, so the prohibition will not create a hardship for area residents or businesses. <br /> The State of Illinois maintains databases with water well information. No known wells are located within the proposed ground <br /> water ordinance area. All properties within the area are served by City water. City water services the entire area so future wells <br /> will not be needed. <br /> The City maintains the location of ground water use restriction areas on its geographic information system(GIS)and all <br /> ordinances are provided on the IEPA website. This information is shared with the Macon County Health Department which is the <br /> agency in the County that permits well installation. Frequently asked questions are attached hereto as Appendix A for the <br /> information of the City Council. <br /> Highway Authority Agreement: <br /> A Highway Authority Agreement is one of the tools used by the IEPA to remediate properties where soil and ground water have <br /> been contaminated. This Agreement enables the property owner to obtain institutional control of those properties that may be <br /> https://decatur.novusagenda.com/agendaweb/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=4513 1/2 <br />