Madison County Board of Health adopts ordinance restricting potable groundwater use near former service station

At its June 16 recessed session the Madison County Board of Health adopted an amendment to County Ordinance 2020‑07 (Ordinance 2021‑02) that prohibits the use of groundwater as a potable water supply within a defined set of restricted parcels around a former Dillow Brothers Service Station at 1142 New Trenton Road, Highland.

The ordinance text notes historical commercial use of the site and states that gasoline and diesel fuel constituents in groundwater beneath the identified restricted parcels may exceed Class I potable groundwater standards in Illinois (35 Ill. Adm. Code 620) or Tier 1 residential remediation objectives (35 Ill. Adm. Code 742). The restricted area is described by parcel identification numbers and an accompanying map (Attachment A) incorporated into the ordinance.

The ordinance prohibits installing and using wells or any other method to use groundwater as potable supply in the restricted area, with penalties for violations of up to $1,000 per violation. The Board of Health record indicates the owners requested limited potable‑use rights to facilitate redevelopment; the ordinance is intended to protect public health while the property undergoes assessment and reuse planning.

The board’s action also formalized documentation for the restriction and adoption for public record; enforcement and monitoring responsibilities remain with the Health Department.