Members Urge New Guidance on Drain-tile Studies When Farmland Is Converted

An extended committee discussion focused on whether Will County should require drain-tile studies when agricultural (A-1) land is converted to other uses.

Multiple members described local instances where construction or additions damaged drain tiles and caused runoff or persistent flooding for neighboring properties. One member said a small home addition created permanent water problems for surrounding yards, and another noted that old clay drain tiles are unmapped and can be costly to locate or repair.

Brian, a county staff member, reviewed the current water-resource ordinance exemptions: a site plan — which triggers drain-tile study requirements — is not required for certain small structures or larger parcels under the existing code. He said neighboring counties (Kankakee, Grundy, Kane) require some form of drain-tile study and that staff can draft language to require a drain-tile study for broader classes of development or tie requirements to different triggers (structure depth, foundation work, or conversion from A-1 agricultural use).

Committee members generally signaled support for changing the code to reduce the number of small conversions that escape review; they asked staff to develop clear options, balancing the cost of additional studies against the expense and damage of unaddressed tile disruptions. Members suggested focusing on construction method (depth, basements, foundations) rather than strictly on lot size, and to look for models used by neighboring counties.

Staff will return with draft language outlining options and potential exemptions for limited, low-impact projects.

"I think we all agree," the chair said, summarizing the committee’s direction to ask staff to prepare draft ordinance language for committee review.