Task Force Discusses Potential Dangers of Driveway Sealant

The dangers associated with a common sealant, which is estimated to be used on 90 percent of driveways in Lake in the Hills, was the topic of discussion Wednesday at a Groundwater Protection Task Force meeting.

Dozens of village and city workers from throughout the county attended the meeting in the Crystal Lake council chambers, 100 W. Woodstock St.

The commonly-used driveway sealant, coal tar sealcoat, is believed to contain high levels of polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, that are potentially toxic to aquatic life and made up of cancer-causing agents, according to a study published by the U.S. Geological Survey. The USGS conducted studies in Lake in the Hills and Woods Creek Lake and found high levels of PAHs in driveways throughout the village.

“We see about a 10 fold increase in PAHs concentration with population growth and urbanization,” said Peter Van Metre, research hydrologist for the U.S. Geological Survey in Austin, Texas., who presented the information over a Web conference. “One concern (about the PAHs) is ingestion among children.”

For more information on the studies done by the USGS in Lake in the Hills and concerns surrounding PAHs, visit our LITH Patch article.

McHenry County's Groundwater Protection Task Force

The Groundwater Protection Task Force was formed over four years ago to look at ways to improve water quality, prevent water shortages in the county and address the possible issues surrounding PAHs, said Cassandra McKinney, water resources manager for McHenry County.

The task force drafted a Water Action Plan and also created a “model ordinance” for banning coal tar sealcoat, which McKinney said can be used as a starting point for municipalities considering a ban.

No communities in McHenry County currently have an outright ban on the sealcoat.

Communities that have banned use of the sealcoat include Austin, Texas; Dane County, Wis; and various Minnesota municipalities, such as, White Bear Lake, Maplewood, Centerville, Circle Pines and Vadnais Heights.

Lake in the Hills and McHenry County have government-use restrictions in place, which means that the sealcoat is not used on any government-owned lots, driveways or roads.

The task force will hold its next meeting on Tuesday at the village hall in Algonquin at 2 p.m. to present information on local water quantity and quality.