180259 M1-summary 2018.042919MEMORANDUM
1 CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD.
9575 W Higgins Road, Suite 600 Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4920 Tel (847) 823-0500 Fax (847) 823-0520
DATE: April 29, 2019
TO: Darren Monico/Mike Reynolds, Village of Buffalo Grove, Public Works
CC: Darren Olson, PE, CBBEL
Travis Parry, PE, CBBEL
FROM: Eric Japsen, CBBEL
SUBJECT: 2018 Water Quality Monitoring Results for NPDES Phase II Permit
Requirements, Buffalo Grove, Lake & Cook Counties, Illinois
(CBBEL Project No. 180259)
On October 2, 2018, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. (CBBEL) completed water
quality monitoring for the Village of Buffalo Grove (Village) to address Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency (IEPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase
II requirements for its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) Permit No. ILR400303. 2018
was the tenth year CBBEL monitored and reported to address the evolving total maximum
daily load (TMDL) requirements, which are applicable to each MS4 permittee within the Des
Plaines River watershed. 2018 was the third year since water sampling for some pollutants
was added for similarity to recent water sampling results collected by the Buffalo Creek
Clean Water Partnership (BCCWP) as published in the IEPA approved Buffalo Creek
Watershed Plan, dated December 2015. In addition, relevant water quality monitoring
results collected by the Des Plaines River Watershed Workgroup (DRWW) and presented in
“Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the Upper Des Plaines River and Tributaries,
2016”, prepared by Midwest Biodiversity Institute (MBI), dated December, 2017
(http://www.drww.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/MBI-Upper-Desplaines-Bioassessment-
Report-20180403-FINAL-REVISED-II.pdf) are included with the October 2, 2018 water
sampling results in this report. The Village is an active member of the (www.drww.org) and
the BCCWP (http://www.buffalocreekcleanwater.org/). A bioassessment, such as that
completed in the DRWW report, was not within this project scope.
A Village map showing the sampling sites and a representative photo exhibit are attached in
Appendix 1. A DRWW monitoring location map is available at http://www.drww.org/wp-
content/uploads/2017/02/Map-4-DesPlaines-Watershed-Map-with-WWTP-and-DAF-with-
303d-Waters-IEPAUSGS-Monitoring-Locations-NOAERIAL-
suburbanLabDRWWSitesFINAL.pdf. Water testing laboratory results and summary
spreadsheets are attached in Appendix 2. Recommendations for 2019 water quality
sampling, monitoring, and reporting are listed at the end of this document.
Purpose
The NPDES permit for MS4 communities specifies that stormwater discharges shall not
cause or contribute to a violation of state water quality standards (35 IAC 302). Compliance
with state water quality standards is mandatory for MS4 facilities. The NPDES permit states
that when a TMDL is approved for a waterbody, MS4s must attempt to comply with Waste
MEMORANDUM
2 CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD.
9575 W Higgins Road, Suite 600 Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4920 Tel (847) 823-0500 Fax (847) 823-0520
Load Allocations (WLAs) for those pollutants having TMDLs. WLAs were allocated for each
discharger based on the size of the MS4 and percent area within the Des Plaines River
watershed (Appendix 3). The BCCWP includes MS4s in its watershed wide attempt to meet
water quality standards through TMDLs. Buffalo Creek flow and load analysis, methods,
and models used for land use and pollutant loading are presented in the document titled,
“SWAMM Results & Methodology, Spatial Watershed Assessment & Management Model,
Des Plaines River Watershed, Illinois, Wisconsin”, prepared by Northwater Consulting,
February 2018 (https://www.lakecountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/22789/Appendix-G-
Pollutant-Load-Methodology-and-Flow-and-Load-Duration-Results).
TMDLs for pollutants within the impaired reach of Buffalo Creek (IL_GST), a portion of
which lies within Village limits, were developed using water quality data from the
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Site WW-12 and
approved by IEPA for fecal coliform, chloride, and dissolved oxygen (DO) in August 2013.
The USGS stream gauge at Wheeling is near sampling Site BC-2, a few hundred feet south
of the Village’s south boundary. USGS stream gauge information was used to correlate
water quality sampling with IEPA approved TMDL flow regimes for pollutants causing
impairments.
Recent TMDL updates included TMDL development for total suspended solids (TSS) for
Buffalo Creek in 2014, and prioritizing TMDL development for DO in Indian Creek (IL_GU-
02) in 2016. Both Buffalo Creek (TSS) and Indian Creek (DO) are on the 2018 303(d) list of
impaired waters. The IEPA determined that carbonaceous biological oxygen demand
(CBOD) and ammonia nitrogen are the two pollutants that must be controlled in order to
improve DO levels in Buffalo Creek. The 303(d) listing for DO in the impaired reach of
Indian Creek includes the portion of Indian Creek that occurs within Village limits. Aptakisic
Creek and Kildeer Creek Tributary are not on the State’s 303(d) list, but are within the Des
Plaines River watershed. Annual water quality sampling is completed by DRWW at or near
several of the stream sampling sites located within the Village’s upstream or downstream
limits.
MWRD results collected from Buffalo Creek during portions of the period of 1977-2009 and
on five dates in 2015 are presented along with 10 years of sampling results by CBBEL,
2009-2018, in spreadsheets in Appendix 2. DRWW and BCCWP sampling results
associated with streams within the Village’s limits are also included in Appendix 2.
Methods
On October 2, 2018, water samples were collected from creeks/tributaries near upstream
and downstream Village boundaries at eight locations to describe its MS4 discharge for the
2018 NPDES monitoring/reporting period. The eight samples were collected in the same
locations as previous years’ sampling to maintain consistency for comparison of results.
Sampling sites numbered 1 are located at upstream Village limits; sites numbered 2 are
located at downstream Village limits. The eight sampling sites are shown on the Village
map in Appendix 1.
MEMORANDUM
3 CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD.
9575 W Higgins Road, Suite 600 Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4920 Tel (847) 823-0500 Fax (847) 823-0520
Aptakisic Creek
AC-1 & AC-2
Indian Creek
IC-1 & IC-2
Kildeer Creek Tributary
KCT-1 & KCT-2
Buffalo Creek
BC-1 & BC-2
Recent IEPA sampling guidelines recommends that water samples be collected within 24
hours of a rain totaling at least 0.25 inch. On October 1-2, 2018 (Monday evening to
Tuesday morning), rain totaling 1.32 inches was recorded at nearby Green Lake Park in
Buffalo Grove, Illinois (Weather Underground - www.wunderground.com). We collected
water samples mid-morning to early afternoon on October 2, 2018.
CBBEL collected grab samples for laboratory testing of nine potential pollutants at each of
the eight sampling sites. Water samples were collected in designated bottles and placed on
ice for laboratory testing by our sub-contractor, PDC Laboratories, Inc., McHenry, Illinois
(formerly Prairie Analytical Systems, Inc.), under standard chain-of-custody procedures.
Field observations were recorded using a handheld Oakton 300 Series probe and an
Oakton ECTestr at the time of sample collection at each site.
The Buffalo Creek sites (Sites BC-1 & BC-2) and Indian Creek sites (Sites IC-1 & IC-2)
having TMDLs for DO were also sampled for carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand
(CBOD) and ammonia nitrogen, per IEPA guidance. In 2018, the following analytes were
sampled at the eight sampling sites within the four streams:
Laboratory Tests Field Observations
Fecal Coliform Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Chloride pH
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Conductivity
Total Phosphorous (TP) Temperature
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
Total Nitrogen (TN)
Oil & Grease
CBOD (only Sites BC-1 & 2 and IC-1 & 2)
Ammonia (only Sites BC-1 & 2 and IC-1 & 2)
Laboratory test results were reported in terms of reporting limits or method detection limits
(Appendix 2).
Results and Discussion
On October 2, 2018, stream water levels were slightly above to >1.0 foot above base flow
conditions at all of the stream sampling sites. Water clarity was somewhat murky at all sites
due to heavy rain and high stream flows at the time of sampling.
MEMORANDUM
4 CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD.
9575 W Higgins Road, Suite 600 Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4920 Tel (847) 823-0500 Fax (847) 823-0520
On 9:00 am on October 2, 2018, the USGS stream gauge on Buffalo Creek at Wheeling
reported a mean flow rate of 68.7 cubic feet per second and a stream gage height of 2.54
feet. For comparison, at 9:00 am on October 9, 2017, the USGS stream gauge on Buffalo
Creek at Wheeling reported a mean flow rate of 4.9 cubic feet per second and a stream
gage height of 1.46 feet. At 9:00 am on October 27, 2016, the mean flow rate was 80 cubic
feet per second and stream gage height was 2.80 feet. Historically, the median discharge
rate over the 67 year recorded period was 2.2 cubic feet per second, with a stream gage
height of 1.34 feet. Therefore, the median discharge rate on October 2, 2018 was greater
than 30 times the historical median flow rate.
Water sampling results for each site over the past five years 2014-2018 are listed in the
spreadsheet in Appendix 2. The results spreadsheet includes State water quality standards
(WQS) and other measures for some constituents not having standards, as sourced from
the 2015 Buffalo Creek Watershed Plan. Water quality testing results for Buffalo Creek are
presented in a separate spreadsheet. Historic results for Buffalo Creek by the MWRD are
also provided in the spreadsheet for some constituents (Appendix 2). There are few 2016
results for DRWW stream sampling locations to compare with our 2018 sampling results
within Village limits; these are provided in Appendix 2, as well, with some discussion in the
results below. Refer to the BCCWP and DRWW websites for complete reports that include
water sampling results www.DRWW.org and (http://www.buffalocreekcleanwater.org/).
Note that DRWW sampling was completed monthly from May to September, and March and
November 2016 during stream baseflow conditions, which differs from the current
requirement for NPDES sampling after a minimum 0.25 inch rain.
Each years’ water quality results from the sampling points at the upstream Village limits
(Sites AC-1, BC-1, IC-1 and KCT-1) may be considered the background levels. This
provides a reference for which the water quality results at the downstream Village limits can
be compared. The Village should note, attempt to find the causes, and/or remediate when
water quality test results show:
1) Any sampling result exceeds state water quality standards;
2) Sampling results at the downstream Village limits (sites numbered 2) exceed those
at the upstream limits (sites numbered 1), which indicates that sources within the
Village limits may be contributing to the pollutant level(s).
Laboratory Test Results
2018 laboratory and field test results for most of the tested parameters indicate overall good
water quality at each of the eight sample sites, except for the fecal coliform results. Fecal
coliform at all eight sites exceeded State Water Quality standards (WQS); none of the other
tested analytes exceeded WQS or other measures (Appendix 2).
Besides fecal coliform, most of the October 2, 2018 water sample results were similar to or
showed improvement from previous years’ results. Notably, 2018 chloride results were at
the lowest levels over the past five years at seven of the eight sample sites, and were at the
lowest levels over the 10 year sample period by CBBEL at Sites IC-1 & IC-2. Also, notably,
MEMORANDUM
5 CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD.
9575 W Higgins Road, Suite 600 Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4920 Tel (847) 823-0500 Fax (847) 823-0520
conductivity was at the lowest levels over the 10 year sampling period at seven of the eight
sample sites.
Discussion of water testing results below focuses on pollutants having TMDLs, those not
meeting state WQS, and those differing substantially from previous sampling results or
ranges. IEPA guidance is needed regarding TMDLs and WLAs for fecal coliform since that
was the only analyte exceeding WQS.
Fecal Coliform
In 2018, all eight sample sites had fecal coliform levels exceeding the 200 colonies per 100
milliliters (100ml) and the 400 colonies/100ml WQS. However, we observed that fecal
results decreased from upstream to downstream within two streams (Sites KCT-1 & 2 and
AC-1 & 2), while fecal results increased within the other two streams having TMDLs (Sites
IC-1 & 2 and BC-1 & 2). In comparison, all 2017 fecal results were lower, ranging from 160
colonies/100ml at Site BC-1 to 590 colonies/100ml at Sites KCT-1 & 2.
The 2018 fecal results were the highest levels we have reported over the past 10 years at
five of the eight sites. However, the 2018 fecal results, as well as all fecal results at these
eight sites in previous years, were lower than the highest result recorded at WW-12 by
MWRD on August 3, 2015 (11,000 colonies/100ml), and much lower than the highest
MWRD result of 28,000 colonies/100ml observed at WW-12 on one date during 2000-2009
sampling.
As in the previous years’ sampling, the 2018 samples were collected on only one sampling
date in order to compare to previous years’ testing results and to address the annual MS4
water quality monitoring requirement. A minimum of five sampling results averaged over a
maximum five-year period is required to evaluate the fecal coliform standards. When
averaging fecal results over the recent five year period, all eight sites exceeded the WQS
maximum of 200 colonies/100ml.
The mean of the most recent five samples for Buffalo Creek Sites BC-1 & 2 from our
sampling results (over the most recent five years) and from MWRD results (June-October
2015) are listed in Table 1 below. DRWW Site 17-2 was near the Wheeling stream gage
(Site BC-2).
Table 1. The Most Recent Five Sample Means of Fecal Coliform Samples, CBBEL Annual
Testing & MWRD Monthly Testing, within Buffalo Creek, IL_GST, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Sampling
Site
Mean*
colonies/100ml,
2014-2018
Mean*
colonies/100ml,
2013-2017
Mean*
colonies/100ml,
2012-2016
Mean*
colonies/100ml,
2011-2015
MWRD 2015
Mean**
colonies/100ml
DRWW 2016
Mean***
colonies/100ml
BC-1 1,034 554 548 116 - -
BC-2 1,308 888 862 496 - 73.4 (B)
WW-12 - - - - 2,514 -
*CBBEL sampling frequency was once annually; **MWRD sampling frequency was monthly June-October 2015;
***DRWW sampling frequency at its Site ID 17-2 was monthly May-September 2016. B indicates that monthly
DRWW sampling was in baseflow conditions.
MEMORANDUM
6 CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD.
9575 W Higgins Road, Suite 600 Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4920 Tel (847) 823-0500 Fax (847) 823-0520
2018 fecal coliform test results indicate Not Supporting Primary Contact Use caused by
fecal coliform in Buffalo Creek. Sites BC-1 & BC-2 both had five sample means exceeding
200 colonies/100ml and had at least 1 exceedance of the 400 colonies/100ml standard over
the five-year period 2014-2018. For comparison, at MWRD Site WW-12 located near Site
BC-2, the monthly 2015 sampling results indicate Not Supporting Primary Contact Use for
fecal coliform because exceedances of 400 colonies/100ml were observed on two of five
dates (40%) and the mean of the five samples was 2,514 colonies/100ml.
Results in Table 1 show:
1) the most recent five-year fecal coliform average (2014-2018) was lower at the Village
upstream Site BC-1 than at downstream Site BC-2; and,
2) fecal coliform averages increased each year over the past four five-year periods.
Higher fecal coliform test results were observed since 2016, when IEPA required testing to
be within 24 hours of rain totaling at least 0.25 inch. Mean 2016 fecal results at DRWW Site
17-2 (73.4 colonies/100ml) were much lower and maximum fecal results (167
colonies/100ml) were lower than our recent single sample results for Site BC-2. For
comparison, the 2013-2014 fecal results for nearby BCCWP Site BC11 ranged from 20
colonies/100ml in May 2014 to >1,900 colonies/100ml in October 2013. The October 2013
result was higher than 6 of the 10 sampling results we have observed at Site BC-2 during
2009-2018. Rain events result in more runoff containing fecal material entering streams,
lakes, and other waterbodies; therefore, higher fecal coliform test results might be expected
following rain than during a dry period.
Chloride
None of the 2018 chloride results exceeded the state maximum WQS of 500 mg/L. The
chloride levels ranged from 74 mg/L at Site IC-2 to 140 mg/L at Site BC-1. For comparison,
the 2017 chloride levels ranged from 131 mg/L at Site IC-1 to 295 mg/L at Site KCT-1. On
average, the chloride results peaked in 2015, and have since declined. Over the past five
years, chloride was at its lowest level at seven of the eight sampling sites in 2018. The
lowest chloride levels of the year are expected to be observed in October before de-icer
applications begin in November.
Chloride results at each of the four downstream sampling sites were lower than the
upstream sites in 2018. The Village’s annual efforts to reduce de-icer/chloride use began in
2014-2015 and contributed to 2018’s lower chloride results. In 2015, the Village began pre-
treating streets with an environmentally friendly beet product that has reduced liquid
chloride and road salt use by 25% - 30%. The critical condition for chloride is over Winter
when de-icers are applied.
Note that the DRWW report applies DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup Integrated
Prioritization System (DRSCW IPS) derived effects based thresholds for tested water
quality parameters in the DRWW report. As such, chloride thresholds that are thought to
impair biological processes were exceeded by half of 2018 site results and almost all
conductivity results from previous years.
MEMORANDUM
7 CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD.
9575 W Higgins Road, Suite 600 Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4920 Tel (847) 823-0500 Fax (847) 823-0520
Ammonia Nitrogen
Ammonia nitrogen sampling was limited to Sites BC-1, BC-2, IC-1 & IC-2 in 2018 (and 2017
& 2016) because Buffalo Creek IL_GST has a TMDL for DO and a TMDL is being
developed for Indian Creek IL_GU-02 for DO. Per the IEPA, ammonia is a pollutant of
concern that contributes to low DO levels (Integrated Report-2012). The 2018 ammonia
levels ranged from 0.026 mg/L at Site IC-1 to 0.22 mg/L at Site BC-2. These levels were
much lower than the state WQS maximum of 15 mg/L. Note that the DRWW report notes
that the level at which ammonia impairs aquatic life is 0.15 mg/L; however, this this level is
not an Illinois WQS). In the 2016 DRWW sampling at Site ID-15-2, which is near 2018 Site
IC-1, the ammonia level was 0.1 mg/L and was below any standard or recommended
threshold level. In 2018, our results were even lower, 0.026 mg/L at Site IC-1 and 0.049
mg/L at Site IC-2.
We did not sample ammonia at Site AC-2, which appears to be near DRWW Site ID 18-1
located downstream of the Lake County wastewater treatment site. In the 2016 DRWW
sampling at this site, the ammonia level was 0.1 mg/L and was below any standard or
recommended threshold level.
Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (CBOD)
CBOD sampling was limited to Sites BC-1 & 2 and IC-1 & IC-2 in 2018 (and 2017), per the
IEPA listing CBOD as a pollutant of concern that contributes to low DO (Integrated Report-
2012). The critical condition for CBOD is during the Summer when decomposition of
organic matter and other oxygen consuming processes are occurring.
The 2018 CBOD levels ranged from 3.5 at Site BC-2 to 4.0 at Site BC-1. Although the
CBOD level at Site BC-2 was the highest observed in the past five years, it was lower than
Site BC-1 located upstream. The three other CBOD results were intermediate over the past
five years’ levels, with a slight decrease from upstream Site IC-1 to downstream Site IC-2.
All 2018 CBOD results were lower than the 8.0 mg/l standard that applies to wastewater
effluent (there is currently no General Use WQS).
For comparison to BCCWP sampling at Site BC11 (near 2018 Site BC-2), where BOD
levels ranged from <4.0 mg/L to 23.7 mg/L over four 2013-2014 samplings, the 2018 result
at Site BC-2 was lower at 3.5 mg/L.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
In 2018, four of the eight test results for TSS were within a typical range of 20.0 mg/L at Site
AC-1 to 29.0 mg/L at Site AC-2; Site IC-1 had a TSS result of 27.0 mg/L, and downstream
Site IC-2 had a TSS result of 22.0 mg/L. Site KCT-1 and KCT-2 TSS results were both 53.0
mg/L, indicating no contribution from the Village. Site BC-1 had a TSS result of 61.0 mg/L,
while downstream Site BC-2 result was slightly decreased at 58.0 mg/L.
There is no General Use water quality standard for TSS. Therefore, the test results for the
eight sites were not exceedances of a State WQS. However, in the Buffalo Creek
Watershed Plan in which a range of 15-30 mg/L for wastewater effluent was proposed to be
applicable to Buffalo Creek, the BC and KCT sites exceeded this range.
MEMORANDUM
8 CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD.
9575 W Higgins Road, Suite 600 Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4920 Tel (847) 823-0500 Fax (847) 823-0520
We expect to observe higher TSS due to particulates entering the streams following runoff
from the heavy rain. Sediment, organic, and mineral particulates likely contributed to the
higher TSS results we observed. As noted above, we observed that the water was slightly
murky or murky at all sampling sites.
For comparison to 2013-2014 testing by BCCWP at Site BC11, four sampling results
ranged from 4.0 mg/l to 19.0 mg/L. These results were lower than the 58.0 mg/L and 61.0
mg/l results we observed. The higher 2018 results were caused in part by the rain, higher
water level, energy, and erosive action entraining more particulates in the water column.
Nutrients
Results for Total Phosphorous (P), Total Nitrogen (N), Nitrate N, Nitrite N, and Kjeldahl N
had no applicable WQS, were intermediate over the past five years, or were lower than
wastewater standards that were listed as a basis of comparison in the Buffalo Creek
Watershed report.
Similarly, the 2016 DRWW sampling results for nutrients near several of the Village’s
upstream and downstream sites, including DRWW Sites 15-2 (IC-2), 17-2 (BC-2), and 15-4
(KCT-2) were relatively low. Only DRWW Site 18-1 (near AC-2) had very high levels of
nitrate nitrogen (17.4 mg/L) and TP (2.42 mg/L). These high levels were thought to be
caused by wastewater effluent. We observed a combined nitrate and nitrite N level of 0.21
mg/l and a TP of 0.06 mg/L, much lower results at the point where the concrete basin
discharges into the ‘natural’ stream bed downstream of the wastewater treatment facility.
Oil & Grease
In 2018, oil and grease results ranged from <2.7 mg/L at four sites to <2.8 mg/L at four
sites. Actual results are less than the laboratory reporting limits; thus, the numerical results
are unknown. There is no General Use WQS for oil and grease; however, the standard for
Public and Food Processing Water Supply (PFPWS) standard of 0.1 mg/L was used in the
Buffalo Creek Watershed Report as a basis of comparison. A General Use WQS would
likely be much higher than the PFPWS standards.
Field Test Results
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
On October 2, 2018, none of the sampling sites’ results exceeded (were lower than) the
state minimum WQS of 3.5 mg/L (applicable August through February). Our field testing
results ranged from 7.42 mg/L at Site BC-1 to 8.51 mg/L at Site IC-2. See relevant
discussion above for ammonia and CBOD that influence DO levels in Buffalo and Indian
Creeks.
pH
The 2018 pH results for all eight sites were within the state WQS range of 6.5-9.0. The pH
levels ranged from 7.07 at Site BC-2 to 8.16 at Site AC-1. The MWRD 2015 pH results
were also within the WQS range.
MEMORANDUM
9 CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD.
9575 W Higgins Road, Suite 600 Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4920 Tel (847) 823-0500 Fax (847) 823-0520
Conductivity
The October 2, 2018 conductivity results were the lowest recorded during the 2009-2019
sampling period at seven of the eight sampling sites; only Site BC-1 had higher results once
during that period. The 2018 results ranged from 590 microsiemens (ms or umhos) at Site
IC-2 to 840 ms at Site BC-1, and are within the 50-1,500 ms range provided as the standard
in the Buffalo Creek Watershed Plan (Volunteer Stream Monitoring Manual, USEPA, 1997).
Conductivity is a measure of electrically charged particles in water, such as salt, clay/soil,
and bio-chemical, and other dissolved matter that tend to be high during Winter or high flow,
turbid stream conditions. Thus, it is surprising that conductivity levels were low considering
murkiness was observed and TSS results were relatively high at the time of sampling, with
the expectation that particulates in the water would result in higher conductivity readings, as
well.
Note that the DRWW applied DRSCW IPS effects based thresholds were exceeded by all
2018 (and previous) conductivity results.
Temperature
On October 2, 2018, water temperature readings for all sites were lower than the state
maximum WQS of 32.0 degrees Celsius for April through November. Stream temperatures
ranged from 16.7 degrees Celsius at Site IC-1 to 17.6 degrees Celsius at Site BC-2.
Storm Water Controls
The Village of Buffalo Grove is an active participant in the BCCWP, and continues its efforts
to comply with MS4 NPDES requirements. Village programs and activities for implementing
the six minimum control measures to reduce pollutants are described in its 2018 report.
Each year, the Village implements Best Management Practice (BMP) projects, such as the
de-icer reduction program that benefit stream water quality.
Recommendations for 2019
We recommend that the Village:
1) Continue to participate in the Des Plaines River Watershed Workgroup (DRWW) and
the Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership (BCCWP).
2) Complete annual laboratory water quality sampling, within 24 hours of a rain event
totaling at least 0.25 inches to meet minimum MS4 sampling and reporting
requirements. Include sampling of Buffalo Creek and the Indian Creek sites for
CBOD and ammonia to help address their TMDLs for DO.
A) Consider water quality sampling through the DRWW and/or BCCWP, in
accordance with the format of the BCCWP 2015 Report, to meet the Village’s
annual MS4 water sampling requirements.
B) Or, as in past years, contract CBBEL to sample all eight sampling sites within the
four streams located within Village limits for fecal coliform, chloride, TSS,
MEMORANDUM
10 CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD.
9575 W Higgins Road, Suite 600 Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4920 Tel (847) 823-0500 Fax (847) 823-0520
nitrogen, total phosphorous, oil and grease, CBOD and ammonia (for Buffalo
Creek and Indian Creek sites), and field test for DO, pH, conductivity, and
temperature.
3) Continue programs, informational postings, and activities that address the six
minimum control measures to reduce pollutants to the maximum extent practicable
(MEP), such as BMPs for:
A. Public education and outreach
B. Public participation/involvement
C. Illicit discharge detection and elimination
D. Construction site runoff control
E. Post-construction runoff control
F. Pollution prevention/good housekeeping
4) Leverage DPRWW and BCCWP involvement to fund and enact water quality
improvement projects, stream restoration/maintenance, and cost-share opportunities
for each of the four streams within Village limits contributing to the Des Plaines River
watershed. See an excerpt from the 2018 Water Quality Report in the following
references section.
5) Continue to incorporate BCCWP and DRWW updates and information in addressing
NPDES requirements in annual reports.
References
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Water. 2018. Illinois Integrated Water
Quality Report and Section 303(d) List, 2016, Clean Water Act Sections 303(d), 305(b) and 314,
Water Resource Assessment Information and List of Impaired Waters
Volume I: Surface Water.
https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/topics/water-quality/watershed-
management/tmdls/Documents/Draft-2018-Integrated-Report-11-14-2018.pdf
Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the Upper Des Plaines River and Tributaries,
2016”, prepared by Midwest Biodiversity Institute (MBI), dated December, 2017
(http://www.drww.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/MBI-Upper-Desplaines-Bioassessment-
Report-20180403-FINAL-REVISED-II.pdf)
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Water Pollution Control. February 10,
2016. General NPDES Permit No. ILR40. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
General NPDES Permit for Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Water Systems.
19pp.
http://www.epa.illinois.gov/topics/forms/water-permits/storm-water/ms4/index
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Water. February 2016. Illinois Integrated
Water Quality Report and Section 303(d) List, 2016, Clean Water Act Sections 303(d), 305(b)
and 314, Water Resource Assessment Information and List of Impaired Waters, Volume I:
Surface Water.
MEMORANDUM
11 CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD.
9575 W Higgins Road, Suite 600 Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4920 Tel (847) 823-0500 Fax (847) 823-0520
http://www.epa.illinois.gov/Assets/iepa/water-quality/watershed-management/tmdls/2016/303-d-
list/iwq-report-surface-water.pdf
Illinois IEPA / Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership. February 2015, and December 2015.
2014 Water Quality Report, and Buffalo Creek Watershed Plan. 474 pp.
http://www.buffalocreekcleanwater.org/
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Water (Final). March 2014. Illinois
Integrated Water Quality Report and Section 303(d) List-2014, Clean Water Act Sections
303(d), 305(b) and 314, Water Resource Assessment Information and Listing of Impaired
Waters, Volume I: Surface Water
http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/tmdl/303-appendix/2014/iwq-report-surface-water.pdf.
Illinois EPA. August 2013. Decision Document for the Approval of the Des Plaines River /
Higgins Creek Watershed, IL, TMDL. http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/tmdl/report/desplains-
higgins-creek/final-decision.pdf
AECOM, Inc., for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. May 2013. Des Plaines River /
Higgins Creek Watershed TMDL Report, IEPA/BOW/12-003
http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/tmdl/report/desplains-higgins-creek/final-tmdl-report.pdf
Illinois Pollution Control Board. 2014. 35 IL. Adm. Code Part 302, IL Water Quality
Standards,http://www.ipcb.state.il.us/SLR/IPCBandIEPAEnvironmentalRegulations-Title35.asp.
Weather Underground, 2016, as recorded at Green Lake Park in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.
http://www.wunderground.com.
Excerpt from the 2018 Draft Illinois Integrated Water Quality Report
The Illinois EPA views TMDLs as a tool for developing water-quality-based solutions that are
incorporated into an overall watershed management approach. The TMDL establishes the link
between water quality standards attainment and water-quality-based control actions. For these
control actions to be successful, they must be developed in conjunction with local involvement,
which incorporates regulatory, voluntary and incentive-based approaches with existing
applicable laws and programs. The three Illinois programs that have provided funds for
implementation of TMDL watersheds include: Illinois EPA’s Nonpoint Source Management
Program, Illinois Priority Lake and Watershed Implementation Program (PLWIP), as well as the
Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Practices Program (CPP). The Illinois EPA
administers the Illinois Nonpoint Source Management Program and the PLWIP. The Illinois
Nonpoint Source Management Program was developed to meet the requirements of Section
319 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Section 319 projects can include educational programs and
nonpoint source pollution control projects such as Best Management Practices (BMPs). The
PLWIP supports lake protection/restoration activities at priority lakes where causes and sources
of problems are apparent, project sites are highly accessible, project size is relatively small, and
local entities are in a position to quickly implement needed treatments.
N:\BuffaloGrove\180259\Env\Docs\2018 NPDES MS4 Water Quality Report\180259 M1-summary 2018.042919.doc
MEMORANDUM
CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD.
9575 W Higgins Road, Suite 600 Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4920 Tel (847) 823-0500 Fax (847) 823-0520
APPENDIX 1
Village Map of Sampling Sites
& 2018 Photo Exhibit
P:\VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE\160078\160078 ZONING MAP_5-9-16.mxdIND
IAN
CREEK
BC-2
BC-1
AC-2
AC-1
KCT-1
KCT-2
IC-1 IC-2
CBBEL Project No. 1802592018 (10/2/18)Legend
Water Sampling Locations
IC-1, IC-2 - Indian CreekKCT-1, KCT-2 - Kildeer Creek Tributary AC-1, AC-2 - Aptakisic CreekBC-1, BC-2 - Buffalo Creek
MWRD Site WW-12
USGS Gage 05528500
INDIANC
R
E
EKA PTA K IS IC C R E EK
BUFFALO CREEKWW-12 05528500
KILDEERCREEKTRIBUTARY
Sampling Location BC-1 (upstream)Sampling Location BC-2 (downstream) Sampling Location AC-2 (downstream)Sampling Location AC-2, view upstream from collection point
Sampling Location IC-1 (upstream)Sampling Location IC-2 (downstream)Sampling Location KCT-1 (upstream)
Grab Sampling
Sampling Location KCT-1 (upstream)Sampling Location KCT-2 (downstream)Sampling Location KCT-2 (view downstream)
Client:Village of Buffalo Grove Project No:180259
Title:Date: 10/2/18
NPDES Phase II MS4 Water Sampling, 2018
Exhibit No.:1
MEMORANDUM
CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD.
9575 W Higgins Road, Suite 600 Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4920 Tel (847) 823-0500 Fax (847) 823-0520
APPENDIX 2
CBBEL & MWRD Results Spreadsheets,
PDC Laboratories, Inc. Test Results, 2018,
& Selected BCCWP and DRWW Water Quality Test Results
Buffalo Grove 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, & 2014 Water Quality Sampling Results, MS4 Streams
CBBEL Project No. 180259
Site Location IC-1 IC-2 KCT-2 AC-1 AC-2 BC-1 BC-2 State WQ Standard *
Year 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 Units or Reference (NE IL)
Fecal Coliform 1000 180 5300 50 400 1800 410 <9.9 10 2000 3800 590 3200 <9.9 700 2300 590 2800 <9.9 400 3400 380 3100 <9.9 <99 2700 470 <9.9 <9.9 600 2600 160 2200 <9.9 200 4200 530 2000 <9.9 100 no./100 mL ** >200 col/100 ml; >400 col/100 ml
Fluoride NA NA NA 0.134 0.152 NA NA NA 0.122 0.159 NA NA NA 0.126 0.163 NA NA NA 0.118 0.161 NA NA NA 0.14 0.154 NA NA NA 0.195 0.14 NA NA NA 0.12 0.131 NA NA NA 0.186 0.143 mg/L 1.4 mg/L
Total Suspended Solids 27.0 <1.34 27.5 <4.0 NA 22.0 3.0 30.0 <4.0 NA 53.0 13.5 45.0 10.5 NA 53.0 104.0 36.5 19.0 NA 20.0 26.0 3.5 <4.0 NA 29.0 23.0 21.5 12.0 NA 61.0 15.5 26.0 5.5 NA 58.0 <1.34 33.0 <4.0 NA <4.0mg/L *** No GU Std; 15-30mg/L effluent
Phosphorus (Total)0.089 0.062 0.121 NA NA 0.077 0.0597 0.147 NA NA 0.098 0.152 0.188 NA NA 0.083 0.165 0.15 NA NA 0.16 0.047 0.039 NA NA 0.06 0.103 0.0828 NA NA 0.094 0.067 0.147 NA NA 0.091 0.044 0.124 NA NA mg/L **** Standard NA; 0.05 mg/L
Chloride 78 131 119 286 178 74 166 121 293 179 90 295 150 230 151 87 138 145 207 148 140 132 157 291 141 110 194 135 679 188 140 169 176 399 171 130 172 171 490 174 mg/L 500 mg/L
Ammonia Nitrogen 0.026 0.029 0.121 NA <0.1 0.049 0.039 0.122 NA <0.1 NA NA NA NA <0.1 NA NA NA NA <0.1 NA NA NA NA <0.1 NA NA NA NA <0.1 NA0.210 0.027 0.209 <0.1 <0.1 0.22 0.042 0.243 <0.1 <0.1 NAmg/L 15 mg/L
CBOD 3.7 1.41 4.23 NA <2.0 3.6 1.65 4.35 NA 2.56 NA NA NA NA 3.22 NA NA NA NA 4.03 NA NA NA NA 3.4 NA NA NA NA 3.46 NA4.0 1.74 4.53 2.88 2.44 3.5 1.26 3.30 2.70 <2.0 NAmg/L *** No GU Std; 8.0 mg/L effluent
Nitrate N: N3+N2 (2018)0.24 <0.10 0.265 NA NA 0.22 <0.10 0.281 NA NA 0.11 <0.10 0.107 NA NA 0.15 <0.10 0.124 NA NA NA0.081 <0.10 0.328 NA NA NA0.21 <0.10 0.228 NA NA NA0.23 <0.10 0.299 NA NA 0.24 <0.10 0.27 NA NA NAmg/L No GU Std; 10.0 mg/L (PFPWS)
Nitrite N NA <0.10 <0.10 NA NA NA <0.10 <0.10 NA NA NA <0.10 <0.10 NA NA NA <0.10 <0.10 NA NA NA <0.10 <0.10 NA NA NA <0.10 <0.10 NA NA NA <0.10 <0.25 NA NA NA <0.10 <0.25 NA NA NAmg/L No WQS
Kjeldahl N <0.75 0.356 0.693 NA NA <0.75 0.401 0.743 NA NA 0.76 0.8 0.949 NA NA 0.86 1.29 0.926 NA NA NA1.2 0.636 0.714 NA NA NA<0.75 0.753 0.608 NA NA NA0.94 0.682 1.07 NA NA 0.78 0.561 0.80 NA NA NAmg/L 20.0 mg/L (STEWW)
Total Nitrogen <1.0 <0.70 0.958 NA NA <1.0 <0.70 1.02 NA NA <1.0 0.8 1.06 NA NA 1.0 1.29 1.05 NA NA NA1.2 <0.70 1.04 NA NA NA<1.0 0.753 <0.85 NA NA NA1.2 <0.70 1.37 NA NA 1.0 <0.70 1.08 NA NA NAmg/L No WQS
Oil & Grease <2.7 <2.0 <0.455 NA NA <2.7 <2.0 <0.455 NA NA <2.7 <2.0 <0.459 NA NA <2.8 <2.0 <0.455 NA NA NA<2.8 1.23 0.505 NA NA NA<2.8 1.6 1.02 NA NA NA<2.7 <2.00 0.625 NA NA <2.8 1.43 0.81 NA NA NAmg/L No GU Std; 0.1 mg/L (PFPWS)
Field Observation
Dissolved Oxygen 8.28 6.73 6.78 11.23 6.7 8.51 5.5 6.96 10.84 6.42 8.15 4.61 6.42 9.9 4.84 8.50 6.98 6.96 9.84 5.29 8.00 6.3 5.61 9.54 5.85 7.82 7.77 6.48 11.03 5.15 8.13 7.48 6.6 10.1 7.12 7.42 7.19 6.91 10.46 6.24 mg/L Min 5.0 mg/L Mar-Jul; 3.5 mg/L Aug-Feb
pH 7.82 7.8 8.09 8.4 7.71 7.69 7.36 7.96 8.01 7.37 8.07 7.73 8.24 8.61 7.38 7.89 8.02 8.17 8.25 7.46 8.16 7.86 8.20 8.45 7.61 7.70 7.68 8.29 8.29 7.71 7.75 8.18 7.64 8.76 7.8 7.07 7.26 7.91 7.86 7.43 pH 6.5 - 9.0
Conductivity 620 930 780 1540 1070 590 1010 820 1530 1060 800 1140 960 1350 960 770 1030 960 1330 1030 640 800 940 1510 990 710 1020 960 1530 1010 840 830 900 1840 930 790 870 930 1960 910 micro siemens 50-1,500 m s (USEPA)
Temperature 16.7 18.2 11.1 7.1 22.1 16.8 19.4 11.0 7.0 22.4 16.8 20.7 10.5 7.6 23.8 16.9 22.4 10.5 7.5 24.1 17.3 17.6 11.6 7.3 23.0 17.1 19.8 10.5 5.6 24.3 17.6 20.9 11.2 7.5 24.1 17.5 17.4 11.1 6.1 22.9 degrees C Max 32°C Apr-Nov; 16°C Dec-Mar
Note - 2018 sampling parameters and results are in bold type. Data is provided for samples collected on the following dates: October 2, 2018, October 9, 2017; October 27, 2016, March 7, 2016 (2015); and August 28, 2014. Data from August 21, 2013, August 31, 2012, August 19, 2011, August 18, 2010, and August 5, 2009 were provided in previous reports.
* Standard is listed for General Use , except as specified or not provided, per the Illinois Integrated Water Quality Report & Section 303(d) List - 2016.
** Fully Supporting Use is observed in protected waters when the mean of at least 5 samples within a 5 year period is less than 200 colonies/100 ml, or when less than 10% of samples exceed 400 colonies/100 ml within a 30 day period May-October (or within all samples May-October). This standard is for Primary Contact.
Designated Use applies to Buffalo Creek and Indian Creek, and not to Kildeer Creek Tributary & Aptakisic Creek.
*** There are no General Use Standards for TSS and Carbonaceous Biological Oxygen Demand (CBOD). However, the TSS standard for Public & Food Processing Water Supply is 500 mg/L and the standard for MS4 effluent is 15-30 mg/L. The CBOD standard for MS4 effluent is 8.0 mg/L.
**** Not applicable for the Village sampling sites. The TP water quality standard of 0.05 mg/L particularly applies to lakes and reservoirs with a surface area of >20 acres, or in streams at the point of entry into these lakes and reservoirs.
USEPA standard for conductivity from the USEPA Volunteer Stream Monitoring Manual (1997).
STEWW standard for Kjeldahl N from the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (1999).
PFPWS, Public and Food Processing Water Supply, standards for Nitrate N and Oil and Grease.
Shaded cells indicate that the measurement does not meet State Water Quality Standards or other noted standards/recommendations.
< # means that the analyte was not detected; therefore, was reported as less than the numerical laboratory Recording Limit or Method Detection Limit.
NA = Not Applicable - sampling was discontinued or not completed.
Note - Beginning in 2016, some standards were added, modified, or omitted based on those used in the 2014 Water Quality Report, Buffalo Creek Watershed, Lake and Cook Counties, Illinois, prepared by the Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership, dated February 2015, or in response to developing TMDLs.
Note - In 2018, Nitrate results include sum of nitrate and nitrite due to laboratory methods/testing by PDC Laboratories, Inc. after merger/takeover of Prairie Analytical (former lab).
Site Locations:
IC-1 at upstream Village limits; IC-2 at downstream Village limits (Indian Creek)
KCT-1 at upstream Village limits; KCT-2 at downstream Village limits (Kildeer Creek Tributary)
AC-1 at upstream Village limits; AC-2 at downstream Village limits (Aptakisic Creek)
BC-1 at upstream Village limits; BC-2 at downstream Village limits (Buffalo Creek)
KCT-1
N:\BuffaloGrove\180259\Env\Spreadsheets\H2O Summary 2018-2014 H2O.101518.xlsx Page 1
Buffalo Grove 2018-2009 Selected Water Quality Sampling Results for MS4 & Historical Downstream Data for Buffalo Creek
CBBEL Project No. 180259
Site Location MWRD Units State Maximum Standard *
Analyte Year 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 or Reference (NE Illinois)
Fecal Coliform 2600 160 2200 <9.9 200 200 130 40 8 40 4200 530 2000 <9.9 100 1800 400 170 250 3170 856 no./100 mL ** 200/100 ml; 400/100 ml
Fluoride NA NA NA 0.12 0.131 0.158 0.223 0.213 0.167 0.239 NA NA NA 0.186 0.143 0.166 0.215 0.214 0.172 0.296 NA mg/L 1.4 mg/L
Total Suspended Solids 61.0 15.5 26.0 5.5 NA 25.0 31.0 38.0 50.5 21.3 58.0 <1.34 33.0 <4.0 NA <4.0 <4.0 13.5 16.0 14.0 NA mg/L *** No GU Std; 15-30 mg/L effluent
Phosphorus (Total)0.094 0.067 0.147 NA NA 0.134 0.0914 0.174 0.181 0.237 0.091 0.044 0.124 NA NA 0.0777 0.088 0.126 0.152 0.125 0.16 mg/L **** Standard NA; 0.05 mg/L
Chloride 140 169 176 399 171 206 198 126 126 225 130 172 171 490 174 221 206 126 130 254 249 mg/L 500 mg/L
Carbonaceous BOD 4.0 1.74 4.53 2.88 2.44 3.75 NA NA NA NA 3.5 1.26 3.3 2.7 <2.0 <2.0 NA NA NA NA NA mg/L *** No GU Std; 8.0 mg/L effluent
Ammonia Nitrogen 0.21 0.027 0.209 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 NA NA NA NA 0.22 0.042 0.243 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 NA NA NA NA mg/L 15 mg/L
Field Observation
Dissolved Oxygen 8.13 7.48 6.6 10.1 7.12 7.99 8.47 7.27 6.81 8.15 7.19 7.19 6.91 10.46 6.24 7.56 5.42 4.82 6.84 4.30 9.9 mg/L Min 5.0 mg/L Mar-Jul; 3.5 mg/L Aug-Feb
pH 7.75 8.18 7.64 8.76 7.8 8.05 9.08 8.36 8.34 NA 7.26 7.26 7.91 7.86 7.43 7.75 7.91 7.63 8.48 7.73 NA pH 6.5 - 9.0
Conductivity 840 830 900 1840 930 1090 1100 910 920 910 870 870 930 1960 910 1110 1090 840 930 1420 NA micro siemens 50-1,500 m s (USEPA)
Temperature 17.6 20.9 11.2 7.5 24.1 26.8 27.9 26.4 27 25.6 17.4 17.4 11.1 6.1 22.9 23.3 24.3 27 24.7 20.2 NA degrees C Max 32°C Apr-Nov; 16°C Dec-Mar
Notes
Site BC-1 is located at upstream Village limits; Site BC-2 is located at downstream Village limits of Buffalo Creek.
Data is provided for BC-1 & BC-2 samples collected on the following dates: October 2, 2018; October 9, 2017; October 27, 2016; March 7, 2016 (2015); August 28, 2014; August 21, 2013; August 31, 2012; August 19, 2011; August 18, 2010; August 5, 2009.
* Standard is listed for General Use , except as specified or not provided, per the Illinois Integrated Water Quality Report & Section 303(d) List - 2016.
** Fully Supporting Use (Good water quality) is observed in protected waters when the mean of at least 5 samples within a 5 year period is less than 200 colonies/100 ml, and when less than 10% of samples exceed 400 colonies/100 ml.
within a 30 day period May-October (or within all samples May-October), for Primary Contact Designated Use (Buffalo Creek).
*** There are no General Use Standards for TSS and Carbonaceous Biological Oxygen Demand (CBOD). However, the TSS standard for Public & Food Processing Water Supply is 500 mg/L and for MS4 effluent is 15-30 mg/L. The CBOD standard for MS4 effluent is 8.0 mg/L.
**** Not applicable for the Village sampling sites. The TP water quality standard of 0.05 mg/L particularly applies to lakes and reservoirs with a surface area of >20 acres, or in streams at the point of entry into these lakes and reservoirs.
USEPA standard for conductivity from the USEPA Volunteer Stream Monitoring Manual (1997).
Shaded cells contain results that do not meet State Water Quality Standards or other noted standards/recommendations.
NA = Not Applicable - a WQS does not apply; or sampling was not completed.
Note - Beginning in 2016, some standards were added, modified, or omitted based on those used in the 2014 Water Quality Report, Buffalo Creek Watershed, Lake and Cook Counties, Illinois, prepared by the Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership, dated February 2015, or in response to developing TMDLs.
^ Historical averages of data collected 1977-2009 at Metropolitan Water Reclamation District stream gage WW-12 on Buffalo Creek (below).
WW-12 Ranges
Fecal (#/100ml) /Yr Total P (mg/L) /Yr D. oxygen (mg/l) Year Chloride (mg/l) / Yr
60-28,000 2000-09 0.14-0.18 '77-2007 2000-07 94-882 2001-07
Site WW-12^
2.1-13.4
BC-1 BC-2
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2014 Water Quality Report
Buffalo Creek Watershed
Lake and Cook Counties, Illinois
February 2015 Table of Contents ii
Document Information
Prepared for: Buffalo Creek Watershed Communities:
Arlington Heights
Buffalo Grove
Deer Park
Kildeer
Lake Zurich
Long Grove
Wheeling
Palatine
Prepared by: Jeff Weiss
Founder, Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership
821 Heatherdown Way
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Phone: 847-224-0965
Marjeff1@aol.com
Marcy Knysz, AICP, LEED AP
Cardno JFNew
1000 Hart Rd, Suite 130
Barrington, IL 60010
Phone: 847-732-5172
Marcy.Knysz@cardno.com
Tom Murphy, PhD
Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus
DePaul University
1314 W. Glenlake Avenue
Chicago, IL 60660
Phone: 773-338-3165
Tjm2040@rcn.com
Date: February 2015
The Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership would like to acknowledge the support of the
following agencies:
• The eight Villages in the Buffalo Creek Watershed for their sponsorship of the
Coordinated Pollutant Monitoring Program
• Lake County Health Department – Population Health Environmental Services, for winter
chloride monitoring, lake sediment testing and autosampler support
• Lake County Stormwater Management Commission and the Watershed Management
Board for a grant to conduct stream water quality testing
• The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for lake water quality testing under the
Voluntary Lake Monitoring Program
• The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, sponsor of the RiverWatch
macro-invertebrate monitoring program
• The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, for their long term
water quality monitoring program at Buffalo Creek
2014 Water Quality Report
Buffalo Creek Watershed
February 2015 Results and Analysis 4-8
Table 4-4 Fecal Coliform Concentration Chart
Similar to phosphorus, the highest levels of fecal coliform were found in the “flush”
samples captured during the storm event of June 26. Fecal coliform levels of >6,300
cfu/100 ml at Checker and >12,000 cfu/100 ml at Creekside on that occasion ex ceeded
the 400 cfu/100 ml WQS maximum by more than 3000% and 1500%, respectively. The
sources of fecal coliform are not known. The following chart shows fecal coliform levels
on June 26 compared to the next highest level recorded samples collected during
monthly grab samples. The June 26 samples also had the highest levels of total
phosphorus and total suspended solids recorded in 2013.
Figure 4-7 E. coli from June 26, 2013 versus next highest sample in 2013
Site May-13 Oct-13 May-14 Oct-14
BC1 70 1100 52 420
BC2 >860 440 14 >300
BC3 >1200 540 16 >200
BC4 150 760 100 440
BC5 130 >120 >130 >250
BC6 <10 960 <2 600
BC7 30 460 48 >190
BC8 260 >1500 48 >240
BC9 100 >3000 58 400
BC10 <10 >1300 4 92
BC11 60 >1900 20 >160
BC12 60 >2400 32 >200
BC13 10 360 8 700
Checker Rd.70 840 38 420
Creekside 30 >1800 24 >270
>6300
840
>12000
1800
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
Checker
(6/26/13)
Next highest Creekside
(6/26/13)
Next highestCfu/100 mlStation
Fecal Coliform
June 26, 2013 versus next highest concentration
2014 Water Quality Report
Buffalo Creek Watershed
February 2015 Results and Analysis 4-10
Table 4-5 Total Suspended Solids Concentration Chart (sites highlighted
>15mg.L)
Like phosphorus and fecal coliform, the flush samples taken during the storm event of
June 25th registered the highest levels of TSS. With readings of 406 mg/L and 175
mg/L, levels were 1300% and nearly 600% higher than WQS. The TSS in the streams
are probably dominated by eroded sediments and streambanks while those in the lakes
were probably algae and other microorganisms.
Figure 4-8 Total Suspended Solids June 26, 2013 versus next highest 2013 value
The TMDL does not provide Implementation Actions and Management Measures for
Total Suspended Solids. However, actions that would reduce soil erosion would
improve water clarity and reducing phosphorus would suppress algae blooms and
improve water clarity in the lakes.
Site May-13 Oct-13 May-14 Oct-14
BC1 12 22 <15 14
BC2 3 <15 <15 10
BC3 4 16 <15 <3.1
BC4 39 76 22 99
BC5 <10 18 <15 20
BC6 9 31 43 97
BC7 63 <15 <15 4
BC8 15 <15 <15 8
BC9 21 <15 21 13
BC10 29 24 20 5
BC11 12 19 18 4
BC12 10 <15 <15 5
BC13 45 30 28 11
Checker Rd.18 19 <15 11
Creekside <10 <15 15 10
MWRD 12 18 12 <4
2014 Water Quality Report
Buffalo Creek Watershed
February 2015 Results and Analysis 4-12
Table 4-6 Dissolved Oxygen Concentration Chart (sites highlighted with March-
July DO < 5 mg/L or September-February <6.5 mg/L)
Implementation Actions and Management Measures for low Dissolved Oxygen are
described in Section 8.4 of the TMDL, which can be accessed from the BCCWP web
site.
Figure 4-9 Dissolved oxygen levels in the Buffalo Creek Basins
Site May-13 Oct-13 May-14 Oct-14
BC1 13.1 8.9 10.9 10.0
BC2 13.9 9.2 13.9 10.8
BC3 9.1 3.3 8.6 7.9
BC4 9.5 no value 11.4 10.8
BC5 13.2 7.9 9.6 10.1
BC6 10.5 3.3 13.5 9.0
BC7 9.3 11.2 16.2 10.9
BC8 10.3 7.5 10.9 11.5
BC9 13.8 5.2 12 10.2
BC10 11.1 11.2 9.6 10.0
BC11 14.4 8.8 15.8 10.1
BC12 14.3 9.2 15.5 10.5
BC13 11.1 6.7 11.6 13.1
Checker Rd.10.8 9.1 17.8 11.4
Creekside 11 8 15.4 8.5
MWRD 5.3 7.2 10.5 9.3
2014 Water Quality Report
Buffalo Creek Watershed
February 2015 Results and Analysis 4-13
4.3.8 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
BOD is listed as a TMDL pollutant for Buffalo Creek in the TMDL Report. Load
allocations for BOD are specified in Table 8.5 of the TMDL.
Six instances of BOD in excess of the WQS for effluents (8 mg/L) were observed in the
MS4 data. In May, 2013 at BC9 (Arlington Heights), BC10 (Buffalo Grove) and BC11
(Buffalo Grove) all recorded elevated levels of BOD. However, it is interesting to note
that the MWRD sampling station located midway between BC10 and BC11 recorded
low levels on the same date. The exact time of the MWRD sample collection on that day
is not known. Elevated levels of BOD were also recorded at BC6 in October, 2013 and
May, 2014, and at BC4 in May 2014.
Table 4-7 Biological Oxygen Demand Concentration Chart (sites highlighted
>8.0 mg/L)
Site May-13 Oct-13 May-14 Oct-14
BC1 5.8 3 <4.0 3
BC2 5 <3.0 8 3
BC3 5.7 4 <5. 6
BC4 7.2 4 10 5
BC5 6 3 <3 4
BC6 5.2 12.3 10 6
BC7 7.9 4 <3 4
BC8 7 3.1 6 5
BC9 12.5 4 <4 6
BC10 9.1 5.8 <5 5
BC11 23.7 4.5 <4 6
BC12 6.2 4.9 <5 3
BC13 2 4.2 6 4
Checker Rd. 7.5 3.2 <4 4
Creekside 5.8 4.2 6 3
MWRD 3 3.0 3 <2
Actions to reduce BOD are described in Section 8.4.2 of the TMDL, which can be
accessed from the BCCWP web site.
4.3.9 Conductivity
Conductivity was measured in the field with a water quality meter concurrently with the
grab samples. BCCWP used conductivity primarily as a proxy to measure winter
chloride levels and to correlate with chloride and TDS as a check against test results for
possible erroneous data (refer to TDS chart below). The only non-winter conductivity
values over 2,000 µs/cm corresponded with the May, 2013 and 2014 results for BC-6
(Deer Park/Kildeer), which also showed elevated chloride values that exceeded the
WQS on those dates.
MEMORANDUM
CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD.
9575 W Higgins Road, Suite 600 Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4920 Tel (847) 823-0500 Fax (847) 823-0520
APPENDIX 3
2013 Decision Document with TMDLs and WLAs for Buffalo Creek IL-GST