On Monday the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC), Village of Grayslake, Lake County Board and state legislators celebrated the beginning of the Haryan Farm Drainage System Improvement Project with a ceremonial groundbreaking event held at the Grayslake Village Hall. The completed project will directly improve drainage for 84 homes and alleviate standing flood water on several roads, including Washington and Lake Streets.  

“Maintaining and updating infrastructure is incredibly vital to all communities, especially here in Lake County with our abundance of water,” said Sandy Hart, Lake County Board Chair. “When infrastructure isn’t updated as needs change, it negatively impacts homeowners and their properties as well as our environment. A project like this can help protect the community and the local ecosystem for generations.”  

Following the 2017 flood event in Lake County, the Haryan Farm and West Trail subdivision ponds saw an extended period of high-water levels. While it was never a concern prior, since that unprecedented event, excess standing water and pond overflow in the area has been an ongoing issue brought on by large storms.   

“The current system is too small for the rainfall we’re regularly seeing in Lake County,” said Lake County Board Member John Wasik. “Once completed this project will improve drainage in the area and alleviate standing water issues that currently plague residents and their properties as well as protect local wetland ecosystems. This project is a great partnership between the village of Grayslake, our great SMC team, and our state legislators. I want to thank all of those involved.”   

Work at the site includes the construction of a 30-inch storm sewer pipe connecting the Haryan Farm North Pond to the existing detention pond northwest of the Lake Street and Washington Street intersection. In addition, a new storm sewer will be installed to extend into the Village of Grayslake Metra Station campus. This will limit the amount of excess standing water in the subdivision ponds. 

“Grayslake has enjoyed working with Lake County and the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission to plan and now begin construction of this important storm system outfall project which will provide added flood protection for Grayslake’s western neighborhoods. Thanks also to the State of Illinois for providing some of the funding for the project and other stormwater projects in Lake County,” said the Village of Grayslake Mayor Rhett Taylor. 

“Working in tandem with our local government partners, the Stormwater Management Commission is overseeing multiple projects using the initial $30 million of grant funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to make improvements to infrastructure,” said Lake County Stormwater Executive Director, Kurt Woolford. “I’m proud of their work overseeing flood mitigation issues around the county to make the most impact with these grant funds. Funds that can assist not only our residents, but also our environment.” 

The total project cost, estimated at $1.4 million is partially funded by the Illinois DCEO Grant. These funds will be utilized for the design, easement acquisition and construction. Additional funding was provided by the Village of Grayslake.