Wonder Lake Aims to Assure Residents on Fire Hydrant Readiness

Village tests hydrants after concerns raised about water pressure and usage limits during recent fire response

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:19pm

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The village of Wonder Lake, Illinois conducted fire flow tests on hydrants in the Stonewater subdivision after receiving a letter from the local fire district questioning the adequacy of the water system. Village officials say a misunderstanding led to the fire district being told not to use the hydrants, which they deny, and they are working to address any issues with the water system to ensure it can properly support fire response operations.

Why it matters

The dispute over the Stonewater subdivision's water system and fire hydrants has become a flashpoint in the community, with residents raising concerns and submitting numerous public records requests. Ensuring the water infrastructure can handle fire emergencies is critical for public safety, and the village is working to be transparent and address any problems.

The details

After a February 21 fire in the Stonewater subdivision, a village water department employee noticed the water system's pumps had dropped below the targeted 52 psi, triggering an alarm. This led to a discussion about potential water usage limits in the village ordinance, which the fire district may have exceeded. However, the fire chief said he was unaware of any issues with water pressure or availability during that incident. To allay concerns, the village hired an outside company to conduct fire flow tests on 10 hydrants in the Stonewater system, which found they were rated AA or A and available for use. The village also discovered one non-working hydrant that will be replaced.

  • On February 21, a fire occurred in the Stonewater subdivision.
  • On March 5, the fire district's attorney sent a letter to the village questioning the Stonewater water system and hydrants.
  • On March 27, the village conducted fire flow tests on hydrants in the Stonewater subdivision.

The players

Dan Dycus

The village president of Wonder Lake.

William Beith

The village administrator of Wonder Lake.

Rudy Horist

The fire chief of the McHenry Township Fire Protection District.

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What they’re saying

“That is the best understanding I have been able to come up with.”

— Dan Dycus, Village President

“I told [the fire chief] on the phone ... that was an aggressive way to ask questions' about the Stonewater system.”

— William Beith, Village Administrator

“The mains that run through that neighborhood are not designed for more than 1,000 gallons a minute.”

— Dan Dycus, Village President

What’s next

The village plans to continue monitoring the Stonewater water system and make any necessary improvements to ensure it can adequately support fire response operations.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency between municipal governments and emergency services, as well as the need for proactive maintenance and upgrades to water infrastructure to meet the demands of growing communities.