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Home ▸ Departments ▸ Stormwater Management

Other Water Issues

Iron

Lake County’s soils naturally contain high amounts of iron.  When stormwater passes through soils, it may take some of that iron with it and appear in your yard, a ditch, a  stream, or a pond.  The water may appear orange or yellow in color. This iron is not an illicit discharge to stormwater.  Naturally occurring algae may form in these areas.    Also, naturally occurring bacteria can feed off this iron.  When the bacteria is present, an oil-like sheen will   appear on the surface of the water.

Naturally Occurring Foam

Sometimes areas of standing water, a river, or a roadside ditch may contain water that is discolored or has foam on the surface.  The water may not in fact be  polluted by an illicit discharge to stormwater.  The discoloration or foam may be naturally occurring.