The Champaign County Board Environment and Land Use Committee is expected to approve a proposed update of the county's solid waste management plan at its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Urbana.
The Champaign County Regional Planning Commission proposed the update, which would take place sometime in 2017. The majority of the changes involve updates using the latest figures and policies, which includes preparing the county for pending changes to statewide recycling, hazardous waste and composting regulations.
The panel will also vote on how to limit the type of coolants used in closed loop geothermal wells. Because there are currently no restrictions on which coolants are used, toxic coolants such as ethylene glycol are permitted. Concern about potential groundwater contamination from these coolants was raised at previous meetings.
“There is much controversy in how and what to regulate regarding the fluids,” Private Water and Closed Loop Well Program Manager for the Illinois Department of Public Heath David Johnson said.
The county would need permission from the Illinois Department of Public Health in order to enact any changes to the current guidelines.
Officials from Macon County recently pursued a similar process for the same reasons.
After reviewing the language from that amendment, Champaign County officials drafted their own amendment that would allow only water, food-grade propylene, or a mixture of the two as suitable well coolants.
The meeting will be held in the Lyle Shields Meeting Room at the Brookens Administrative Center, 1776 E. Washington St., Urbana.
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