FAQs
Automated Red Light Photo Enforcement
If you receive a citation in the mail you should follow the instructions on the back. Detailed information is provided on how to pay or contest the violation. Should the individual decide to contest the violation, he/she may do so through the Village’s adjudication program.
Yes. These violations will be reviewed and authorized by sworn officers of the Wauconda Police Department. Each Review Officer will be specifically trained in the operation and review process of the Red Light Photo Enforcement Program. These tickets are treated as a civil violation (just like a parking ticket) and will not impact the registered owner’s driving record or insurance rates.
Under Illinois State Law, HB 4835, the registered owner of the vehicle is liable for any automated traffic law violations that occur to the vehicle, regardless of who is operating it.
Community Development
A permit is required for all structural projects including decks, roofing, siding, gutters, windows, basement, kitchen, bathroom remodeling, etc. Call building and zoning for confirmation of requirements.
Yes, Village ordinance requires all driveways to be improved with asphalt, concrete, or brick pavers.
Yes, all temporary banners require a permit. There is no charge for this permit.
Human Resources/Risk Management
Applications are only accepted for current open positions. Job Application Form (PDF)
Yes, you may. There is no need to fill out a separate application for each position. You may apply for up to 3 positions using the same application.
A resumé is not an acceptable form of application. However, you may attach your resumé to your application for the hiring manager to view. Please note that incomplete applications with a resumé attached, will still be considered an incomplete application.
Once you have applied, your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position(s) in which you are applying. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your application will be routed to the hiring manager for review. The hiring manager will contact you directly if you are selected for an interview. Due to the high volume of response we receive for our open positions, the hiring manager will be unable to contact every applicant.
You may contact our Human Resources office at 847-526-9600 to check the status of your application.
Please address all correspondence to the Director of Human Resources at:
Village of Wauconda
101 N Main Street
Wauconda, IL, 60084
Lake Michigan Water
The Village gets its water from Lake Michigan, the largest freshwater lake in the United States and the fifth biggest lake in the world. Lake Michigan contains 1.2 quadrillion gallons of water. Click here to see the current lake levels of Lake Michigan.
The hardness of our water is about 8 grains per gallon or 137 mg/l as CaCO3. It does not change significantly.
Most residents that we have talked to decided to stop using their softeners. However, the answer to this question depends on why you purchased your softener in the first place. If you purchased it to keep your pipes from plugging up with scale, you no longer need it. Lake Michigan water does not typically clog water pipes. If you purchased it to reduce the amount of scale or lime that builds up on your faucet or around sinks and tubs, you will find this problem greatly diminished with Lake Michigan water, though it will cause a slight scale build up over time that requires cleaning. If you purchased your softener to remove iron from your water, you no longer need it. Lake Michigan contains almost no iron. If you purchased your softener because you want to use less detergent or soap, you will find that with Lake Michigan water, you will use much less detergent and soap than you did with your well water. If you are considering purchasing a water softener, please consider these things. A softener will remove the calcium and magnesium (hardness) from your tap water. These essential minerals will be replaced with sodium (salt) in your tap water. While this does not improve the healthfulness of your tap water, it will cut down slightly on soap and detergent use. A softener does eliminate any scale from building up around your kitchen and bathroom fixtures but most people we have talked to however feel the amount of scale that does form around their faucets is so minimal, the expense of a softener is not worth it. Softeners do increase the corrosivity of water and are often implicated in increased lead and copper levels in homes with these plumbing materials. Finally, if you decide to purchase a softener, please invest the time to flush it out after being away for more than a few days. This reduces the number of nuisance bacteria that are present inside stagnant softener tanks. Click here for more information regarding water softeners on Lake Michigan water.
It is true that 20% of the world's surface fresh water is contained in the Great Lakes. It may also seem impossible to imagine that humans could actually consume a measurable amount of water in our "fresh water ocean". But massive lakes, like the Aral Sea, the once mighty Colorado River, and underground aquifers have been all but emptied through human use. Fortunately, the United States and Canada have agreements to protect the Great Lakes for future generations while reducing our impact today. In an effort to reduce water loss from the Great Lakes Basin, citizens in the Great Lakes States and Provinces are mandated to practice water conservation. In Illinois, communities that use Lake Michigan water are mandated to restrict water use for irrigation as a conservation measure. Lake Michigan is immense, but only 1% of the water in the Lake is replaceable. The other 99% of the Lake's water has been deposited over more than 10,000 years. Like a bank account containing cash that we might inherit, once we spend the money it will take a long time to replenish the account. Those who proceeded us have left us with a large fresh water "account". Conservation will help us to leave those that follow us with the same fresh water resources.
When a glass of water appears milky, let it sit and observe the cloudiness. If the cloudiness rises to the top, the milkiness is composed of air bubbles. Air bubbles in water do not make the water unsafe. They can be removed by flushing the taps in your home. There are a few possible sources of air in water including air entrapped in repaired pipes, malfunctioning water pumps or more commonly, water temperature changes. As wintertime cools Lake Michigan , more air dissolves in the water. After the water is treated it is pumped into pipes that are under pressure. This pressure holds the air in the water, even as the water warms a few degrees on its way to your home. Once the pressure is released at your tap, the air quickly comes out of the water making it appear milky and rising to the top of the glass. This action can also drive some of the chlorine from water, making it seem like the water contains more chlorine than normal. Water from the water heater is most prone to milkiness. Milky water typically occurs in the winter month and is usually a temporary event that occurs erratically . Call your public works department if the cloudiness persists in your taps or settles to the bottom of a glass of water.
The water that CLCJAWA delivers to each community contains no detectable lead. Lead in tap water typically comes from the service pipe that enters a building or the plumbing within the building. Newer homes typically do not have lead service pipes or lead containing plumbing. Because homeowners, typically own the service pipe leading into their building and the plumbing within it, they should consult with a licensed plumber and/or consult with their public works department if they are concerned. The US EPA also offers guidance to reduce lead in your water here. You may also wish to have your water tested for lead by a lab like the Lake County Health Department Environmental Lab (847-377-8017).
CLCJAWA does add a drinking water certified corrosion inhibitor called ortho-phosphate, to the water. This common drinking water and food ingredient binds with metals like lead, to keep them from corroding and getting into your water from your plumbing. This compound reduces lead in many homes but does not remove it completely from all homes or to levels considered safe in some homes. Because your community is responsible for lead compliance, contact them for more information, click here to review water results for your community, or refer to your annual Consumer Confidence Water Report which can be found at your Village website. If lead is detected in your home's water, an RO unit or filter can effectively remove it. See number 8 and 9 above for more information and click here for even more information regarding lead and drinking water.
Outdoor Water Usage/Conservation
There are currently no water restrictions.
Should an emergency water condition arise, an emergency conservation measure would go into effect based on an even-odd street address system that would limit outdoor water use to the hours of 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Signs in your community will change to reflect the emergency conservation measure should it need to be implemented. You will also be notified through our Village-wide telephone notification system.
In addition, there is a provision in the water conservation ordinance for watering new landscape plantings, which requires you to contact Utility Billing at 847-526-9604.
The procedure for testing hydrants involves installing a gauge and then opening 1 of the side ports of the hydrant and allowing the water to flow wide open for approximately 1 minute. During testing, Water Division employees measure the flow velocity, static pressure, flow pressure and pito flow. For the hydrant to operate properly, crews check for ease of opening and closing, ensure that water flow stops completely when the hydrant is shut down, and confirms that any water remaining in the barrel drains down below ground level into surrounding soil.
If a hydrant does not pass this test, it must be repaired. Hard turning or inoperable fire hydrants can be a serious problem for the Fire District during emergency situations and any leaks within the hydrant can be a source of water loss and a major cause for hydrant freeze-up during the winter months.
Unfortunately, when a hydrant or hydrants are flushed in your area, your water may become discolored. Residents are advised to run water for a few minutes before use. This is especially important to do before doing laundry.
To apply for the permit, complete the permit application (at the Building and Zoning Department), submit the permit fee of $100 and a plat of survey that indicates the location of the irrigation. No portion of the sprinkler system may be installed in a public right-of way (parkway).
A licensed plumber is required to install the backflow device on the service line for the irrigation system. An RPZ backflow preventer is required on the irrigation system. A separate water meter may be installed at the owner’s request. The backflow device must be certified annually before May 31st. Contact Utility Billing at 847-526-9604 for more information.
Water Quality
The Village sends a Water Quality Report to all residents each year. 2013 Water Report (PDF)
Occasionally open fire hydrants can cause rust and/or scale to break free from inside the pipes and become suspended in the water. Water main repair or construction can also cause this condition. If this condition appears at your residence, allow the cold water tap to run until the water appears clear. If the condition persists, please contact the Water Division at 847-526-9610.
If your water has a chlorine taste or smell, the simplest way to remove it is to fill a pitcher with cold tap water and leave it uncovered in the refrigerator. The chlorine content will dissipate. If your water has an egg smell, and is only present while using the hot water, the smell may be coming from your water heater. Have the heater checked for problems. If you have other problems with water quality, please contact the Water Division at 847-526-9610.
A source water assessment for our supply was completed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). The IEPA determined that the source water was not susceptible to contamination. This determination was based upon a number of criteria including a 1993 well site survey, reviews of water sample analyses and available hydrogeologic data on the wells. A copy of this source water assessment is available at the Public Works facility at 302 Slocum Lake Road.
Prior to the Village receiving Lake Michigan water as our drinking water source, vinyl chloride has(d) been detected in some private homeowner wells in our area. Vinyl chloride has never been detected in any of the Village owned wells serving our public water supply. The Village may utilize well water supply as an emergency backup resource in the event of a service interruption with CLCJAWA.
An average person uses 123 gallons of water daily. Typical water use for showers is 15-30 gallons, brushing teeth (with water running) 1-2 gallons, shaving (with water running) 10-15 gallons, washing dishes by hand 20 gallons, washing dishes in a dishwasher 9-12 gallons, flushing toilet 1-5 gallons.
Water Rates & Billing
To find out the steps you need to take in order to step a new account for water/sewer please view our new accounts page. New Account
Utility Billing Contact Information
Find out the water and sewer rates for seniors, outside of corporate limits and inside limits. Water and Sewer Rates
Payment Options
If you are 65 years of age or older, you are eligible for a 10% discount on the minimum rate for the 1st 2,000 gallons of water used every billing period. To sign up, please stop by the Village Hall at 101 North Main Street, with a picture I.D. identifying your birth date to sign you up.
Common areas to check for leaks are toilets, sinks, water softeners, humidifiers and sprinkler systems. If you are unsure of how to repair a leak, contact a licensed plumber. Some leaks can be significant and will result in a higher water bill. It is recommended that residents address leaks as soon as they are found to avoid paying for water they are not intentionally using. Leaky fixtures can result in water bills being hundreds of dollars over the normal bill.
For emergency water shut off on a weekday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., contact the Public Works Department at 847 526-9610. If you cannot get through immediately, or if you are calling after hours, please contact the Police Department non-emergency phone number at 847 526-2421, they will dispatch Water Division personnel. After hours/weekend calls will incur a $125 fee. This fee includes the cost to turn the water back on.
The Water Division is available to temporarily shut-off residential water service in order to protect your property in your absence. The incoming water will be shut off at the property line and you may also request the removal of your inside water meter. The minimum water bill for disconnected services will be suspended until water service is restored. Please call the Water Division at 847-526-9610 for more information. Village ordinance prohibits homeowners from turning water on or off to a residence.