Prairie Lakes Stormwater Detention Basin | Village Update | 9.15.25
At the May 13, 2025 Village Board meeting, the Village Board approved a contract with Fehr Graham of Aurora, IL to provide consultant services for work associated with the Prairie Lakes Stormwater Detention Facility in an amount not to exceed $100,000. Since that approval, Fehr Graham has been working on testing the detention basin. The following is a summary of what has been done to date. Fehr Graham will return to the Village Board later this year to provide a summary of their findings.

Preliminary Findings
Fehr Graham conducted the first round of sampling on June 12, 2025 and, in a June 20 update, reported noticeable algae at the wetland biofilters (typical during dry, stagnant conditions). Field readings for dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and conductivity showed nothing immediately alarming, though orange discoloration near the northwest outfall/Homewood Disposal area was consistent with reduced iron. By July 7, initial lab results were promising with elevated iron observed as expected but not a human-health concern, and a second round of sampling was scheduled for late July. Round 2 occurred on July 24, 2025 under hot, low-flow conditions with visible algae; this round included an expanded suite of water and sediment analyses: organics (PAHs, VOCs, PCBs, phthalates, phenols, TPH), nutrients (total nitrogen, nitrate, total phosphorus, orthophosphate), TSS, chlorophyll-a, chlorides, fecal coliforms, dissolved metals (including low-level mercury, iron, lead, arsenic, cadmium), sediment metals, and grain size.

In an August 11 update, Fehr Graham noted lab results from the extensive July 24 work were pending and targeted early September for a more in-depth progress briefing. On August 25, they reported two events remaining: (1) a fall/winter sampling (planned for October) to capture typical/higher pond levels, with additional sediment sampling at all wetland biofilters and a possible mid-pond sediment core; and (2) a wet-weather “first-flush” event to be sampled ~24 hours after a rain >0.25", focused on nutrients, TSS, and fecal/chlorides to assess the pond’s basic filtration performance before discharge. On September 4, Fehr Graham added that the wet-weather event would also include dissolved metals and a bathymetric survey (a simple map of the pond bottom) to find where sediment is building up (scheduled the following week. They plan a winter event at all locations and additional sediment sampling based on earlier detections, even where standards were not exceeded. They also noted that some comparative standards used in prior work (e.g., residential groundwater criteria) do not strictly apply at this site and that certain background metropolitan concentrations can appear as detections or exceedances.

What this means so far:
The pond is acting as you’d expect in summer. Some algae and natural iron staining, but nothing alarming has shown up. The remaining rain-event and fall/winter tests, plus the pond-bottom mapping, will show how well the wetland filters are working, where sediment is accumulating, and what maintenance (like targeted clean-outs or plant adjustments) might help.  This information will give us a full view as to the health of the water in the detention basin.  We are also mindful of the concerns with the northwest pond and outflow.  The rain-event and fall/winter testing will complete the analysis required to understand any issues with that location.   Fehr Graham will bring a clear summary and recommendations to the Village Board later this year.
  

Prairie Lakes Stormwater Detention Basin Update

The Village of Homewood has been actively engaged in addressing concerns about the North Pond at Prairie Lakes Stormwater Detention Basin, and specifically, allegations of water toxicity. This information outlines the history of the site, recent water quality testing efforts, and the Village’s response to claims made in the media.

Background: Prairie Lakes Stormwater Detention Basin

The Prairie Lakes Business Park and Stormwater Detention Basin was developed on the former site of the Washington Park Race Track, which was destroyed by fire in 1977. In 1991, the Village purchased 178 acres of land and considered several redevelopment options before constructing a stormwater detention system to address regional flood control and water quality management. The detention basin was designed with best management practices (BMPs), including sediment control, biofilters, and aquatic vegetation to improve water quality naturally.

In 2006, the Village entered into a 99-year lease agreement with the Izaak Walton Preserve (IWP), granting them responsibility to oversee the stewardship of the property as a community amenity.

Allegations Regarding the North Pond

Izaak Walton Preserve members shared concerns a smaller body of water designed as a sediment basin and separated from the open water area by a stormwater bio-filter area. In response, the Village and Izaak Walton Preserve jointly funded a preliminary water quality study conducted by Bryan Environmental Consultants, Inc., with samples collected in November 2023.

• Typically, included with water quality testing is a “monitoring” component.  The monitoring ensures that the initial baseline tests are not flukes or skewed by a number of naturally occurring conditions. According to the USEPA, a proper and qualifying water quality should at minimum (1) establish baseline quality levels for water. (2) identify appropriate sampling locations and sample at the same locations in the future. Visually monitor/assess any specific changes in surface waterbodies. Follow recommended sample collection and analytical procedures.

• Before the preliminary Bryan report was released, media outlets—including the Chicago Sun-Times, Southtown, and WBBM Radio—published sensationalized claims that the pond was toxic and harmful to humans and animals

Village’s Response & Engagement with the Illinois EPA

Recognizing the seriousness of these allegations, the Village immediately engaged the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to conduct an independent review of the Bryan Environmental Study. The IEPA reviewed decades of historical site data and performed their own analysis of the 2023 water quality results.

During a January 2025 meeting, with the IPEA, it was confirmed that:

• The North Pond is NOT toxic based on the State of Illinois water quality standards.
• The vast majority of tested contaminants posed no health risks and were well below regulatory limits.
• The only substance of slight concern was Fluoranthene, an organic compound found in car exhaust, cigarette smoke, and charred wood—all common pollutants in urban environments.

The IEPA recommended continued monitoring but did not classify the pond as hazardous.

Furthermore, historical records suggest that debris from the 1977 racetrack fire, including charred wood and ash, was likely incorporated into the soil during Prairie Lakes’ construction. This historical contamination may explain the presence of Fluoranthene, a common byproduct of burned materials.

Next Steps: Comprehensive Water Quality Testing and Monitoring Program

The Village is committed to maintaining transparency during this process. To further assess water quality and sediment conditions:

• The Village and Izaak Walton Preserves will continue monitoring the pond under IEPA’s guidance.
• The Village in partnership with the Izaak Walton Preserve recently issued a Request for Proposal to hire a consulting firm to perform a comprehensive water quality and sediment testing and monitoring study of the entire Prairie Lakes Basin to ensure long-term environmental health.

Conclusion

The IEPA’s analysis confirms that the North Pond is not toxic. The Village of Homewood remains committed to responsible environmental stewardship and will continue working with the IEPA, Izaak Walton Preserves and our professional consultants to ensure the long-term health of the Prairie Lakes Detention Basin. Until a full study and monitoring is completed, claims of toxicity should be approached with caution to prevent the spread of misinformation.

You can view the RFQ Stormwater Testing PDF by clicking here.