Westmont, Illinois - Date Issued: March 15, 2022
Westmont Public Works has a progressive Storm Sewer Maintenance Program, which includes storm sewer jetting, catch basin cleaning, street sweeping, and ditching, which reestablishes the ditch line to improve storm water flow. WPW provides routine detention basin inspections, however, prior to significant rain events, staff performs inspections in our problematic locations, inspects storm structures throughout the Village and clears obstructions such as leaves and other debris, as well as monitors nuisance areas during rain events.
Following is an update regarding Westmont’s Stormwater Management projects as well as tips for residents to help prevent flooding.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROJECTS
WPW is consistently improving Westmont’s storm water system with a variety of projects. Following are some of the recent and upcoming stormwater management projects in Westmont:
2021 Stormwater Projects
- Alley C West of Cass Avenue between Naperville and Warwick
- Alley D East of Cass Avenue between Burlington and Irving
- 63rd Street and Richmond Street Detention Basin
2022 Stormwater Projects
- Alley G West of Cass Avenue between Quincy and Richmond
- Alley H West of Cass Avenue between Richmond and DesMoines
- 61st Street and Cumnor Streambank Stabilization Project
- New Residential Alley Project
FLOOD PREPARATION TIPS FOR RESIDENTS
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency IEMA in partnership with all local Emergency Management agencies and the National Weather Service would also like to let residents know that Flood Safety Week is March 14 - March 18, 2022. The Village reminds residents of some ways you can help decrease the risk of flooding on your property. Following is a list of ways you can help prevent unwanted water in and around your house:
- Perform routine landscape maintenance and stabilize ground with vegetation to prevent erosion of soils / mulch.
- Pickup leaves and debris throughout your yard.
- Pickup garbage/litter in and around your property. In your subdivision...do your part for the community.
- Help clear obstructions from storm manholes around your property.
- Refrain from doing the laundry or taking long showers during heavy rain events. Sanitary sewers become inundated with rain water and reduces capacity in their system which increases the probability of sewage backups into basements.
- Grading around your foundation should be reviewed to ensure positive drainage away from your foundation.
- Direct downspouts and sump pumps away from your foundation. Ensure downspouts and sump pumps are not connected to a sewer line that frequently backs up. During heavy rainfall events, sewers may reach capacity and additional runoff from our gutters puts more stress on the system, which may lead to more water backing up into homes and basements.
- Consider installing rain barrels and cisterns. Rain barrels and cisterns are large tanks that can be connected to your home’s gutter downspouts. They are an easy and inexpensive way to capture and store water falling from gutters, which can later be used to water gardens and lawns.
- Consider installing a rain garden or bioswale. These are native plants that reduce stormwater flow by providing a pleasant area where rain can naturally soak into the ground, instead of entering sewer systems.
- Long Term Goals: Consider Green Infrastructure (i.e. dry wells, permeable pavers, etc) to be included in any home remodeling efforts. Green infrastructure is a stormwater management practice that protects, restores and simulates the natural water cycle. Unlike grey infrastructure that relies mostly on pipes and conventional hard surfaces, green infrastructure uses soil and plants to allow rainwater to soak into the ground. Putting water back into the ground helps to recharge aquifers and reduces surface runoff to streams and rivers.
For flood prevention ideas and resources, citizens can download the DuPage County Flood-Proofing Guidebook. For additional information, visit the DuPage County Stormwater Management webpage.
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