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Stormwater Management
Stormwater Management Plan
The Village of Westmont owns and maintains a public storm sewer system, which serves the majority of the community. The storm sewer system captures rainwater and water runoff, and is independent from the sanitary sewer system. The Village is required to develop a stormwater management plan that includes measurable goals to help ensure that pollution is prevented from entering the storm sewer system.
The Village of Westmont’s stormwater management plan covers a broad spectrum of best management practices including street sweeping, storm sewer cleaning, and recycling, as well as public education. In addition, the Village must follow the EPA’s stormwater requirements as outlined in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Program (NPDES). Village of Westmont Stormwater Management Plan
Additionally, the Village of Westmont works with DuPage County to provide information regarding stormwater management. A copy of various DuPage County documents related to stormwater management can be found on the village website under documents and forms in the Public Works section.
Westmont Stormwater-Infrastructure Sales Tax Referendum
Following the devastating flood in April of 2013, the Village created the Community Stormwater Committee to review options regarding how to address growing problems and concerns regarding stormwater management. In the Spring of 2015, after much research and community input, Westmont voters approved the Westmont Stormwater-Infrastructure Sales Tax Referendum, thus allowing the Village to collect a 0.5% sales tax on local purchases to generate revenue that is specifically targeted for stormwater and infrastructure improvements. Collection of this sales tax began in July of 2015 and generates over $1 million annually.
Westmont’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Program (NPDES)
Polluted stormwater runoff is commonly transported through municipal separate storm sewer systems and often discharged untreated into local water bodies. To prevent harmful pollutants from being washed or dumped into municipal storm sewer systems, EPA stormwater regulations require municipalities with separate storm sewer systems to acquire permits through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Program. The Village of Westmont must comply with the EPA’s General NPDES Permit for Discharges from Small Municipal (for populations less than 100,000) Separate Storm Sewer Systems (ILR40) classified as Stormwater Phase II. ILR40 requires that a permittee reduce, to the maximum extent practicable, pollutants associated with stormwater runoff being discharged to any surface water of the State.
Stormwater Phase II programs address the following program components:
- Construction Site Runoff Control
- Illicit discharge detection and elimination
- Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
- Post-Construction Runoff Control
- Public involvement
- Public education and outreach
The Village of Westmont National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Annual Report contains the current full list of the Village’s best management practices and can be found in the Documents & Forms section along with Westmont’s five-year permit from the EPA.
More information about these program components is available on the EPA website.
Fall & Winter Stormwater Management Practices
The following is a list of stormwater management tips for fall and winter.
Fall
Fall is a time for football, cooler days and changing leaves. However, with the fall season also comes the inevitable need for yard cleanup.
All DuPage County residents live in a watershed, meaning most everything entering storm drains eventually runs into rivers or streams. In autumn, leaves are oftentimes blown or swept into storm drains and waterways and can become a source of water pollution. Once they reach waterways, leaves decompose and release phosphorus into the water, which can result in algae blooms and decreased oxygen for fish. However, pollutants are not the only problem. Leaves can also build up along curbs, gutters and storm drains, which blocks stormwater runoff from entering this drainage infrastructure. Should a major weather event occur, this can lead to localized flooding.
Westmont residents can help to keep excess leaves out of storm sewers and waterways by clearing leaves from yards and curbs. Waste Management offers a curbside Yard Waste Program from early April to early December (weather permitting) that is an easy and convenient way to dispose of leaves. For more information, contact Waste Management at wm.com or 1-800-964-8988.
Residents can also help by engaging in composting. While the organic debris is not ideal for aquatic life, composted leaves and other organic materials are an excellent resource for fertilizing your garden in the summer months. It provides necessary nutrients, while also reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Leaves can be chopped into small pieces using a mulching mower, which will decompose directly on lawns. The leaf pieces can also be collected and spread around flower beds and shrubs as mulch.
Winter
Before fall turns into winter, residents should be mindful of snow removal options. Traditional methods include utilizing road salts to melt snow from roads and driveways. However, chloride from road salts never fully dissipates when excess salt drains into rivers and rivers, causing harm to aquatic life.
Residents are encouraged to utilize best management practices for stormwater runoff during the winter months. Removing snow prior to applying a deicer, applying "just enough" to reduce hazard, and sweeping up and properly storing undissolved road salt after a storm for reuse are all ways to reduce the levels of chloride in DuPage waterways this winter. Alternative treatments applied before storms, such as a beet juice derivative, are also effective in reducing ice, while decreasing the need for road salt.
Flood Information
Following the historic rainfall and resulting flood in April 2013, the Village of Westmont created the Community Stormwater Management Committee to review the Village’s flood response plan and discuss opportunities for future improvement. The Committee presented several recommendations to the Board regarding proposed changes to codes and ordinances, the creation of a stormwater utility, and the creation of new stormwater management policies.
FEMA Floodplain Map Updates
Below is a link to the FEMA website page that provides information regarding updated floodplain maps in your area. FEMA encourages residents to review these maps to see if their properties are affected. Follow the prompts on their website to find the maps for your area.
DuPage County Stormwater Facilities & Rain Gauge
The County has a number of helpful resources for DuPage residents and businesses. One of their website resources provides access to real-time water resource data collected throughout the county (link below). There are currently 66 rain and 25 active stream gauges throughout DuPage County. For the gauges that are considered continuously recording, results are collected every 15 to 60 minutes and then transmitted back to data stores located on-site. The recording and transmission times may be more frequent during critical events or when otherwise necessary.
Flood Information Resources
DuPage County Stormwater Management Information
Additionally, the Village is a participating partner with DuPage County to provide a broader stormwater management plan to further prevent stormwater pollution. DuPage County has a variety of stormwater management practice information on their website. Please visit DuPage County Stormwater Management to learn more about stormwater management.
DuPage County reports and information on best practices