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Stormwater Management

Last updated: Public Relations Specialist | Thursday, April 12, 2012

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Stormwater is the run-off that originates from precipitation (i.e. rainstorms and melting snow) and other activities such as car washing and sidewalk cleaning. Water that does not soak into the ground due to impervious surfaces becomes run-off and either flows directly into surface waterways or is channeled into storm sewers, which eventually discharge into local water bodies.

The back bone of the Village’s stormwater drainage system is provided by three creeks:

  • Lacey Creek, which is north of Ogden Avenue;
  • St. Joseph Creek. which flows through the central portion of the Village; and
  • Prentiss Creek, which is south of 63rd Street.

All three creeks drain westward and empty into the East Branch of the DuPage River. The Village Drainage Control Map highlights the three creeks. Storm drainage pipes, inlets, culverts, and ditches drain water from streets and properties to the three creeks.

To ensure water flows through these structures, storm drainage pipes are cleaned during the summer months to help clear up problem areas. Suspected pipe problems or failures are placed on a list of locations to be video taped with a TV camera specially designed to travel through underground pipes.

What is meant by impervious?
An impervious area is any surface that does not or cannot absorb water, preventing the infiltration of storm water into the ground.  Water runs off these surfaces and accumulates in surrounding areas, rather than seeping into the ground.  Examples of impervious surfaces include:

  • Parking lots
  • Roofs
  • Driveways
  • Patios
  • Sidewalks
  • Roads

As pervious areas (natural soil) become "paved", increased amounts of stormwater are generated, placing an increased demand on the stormwater system. 

What is the diffference between the stormwater system and sanitary sewer system?
Water flowing through the sanitary sewer system is transported through collection systems and treated before it is released back into the environment.  Stormwater flows in large amounts directly into ponds and streams, streets, parking lots, etc.  It is not treated like sanitary discharge.

Why does stormwater have to be managed?
Without proper stormwater management, rain events may result in flooding on roads and properties throughout the Village, leading to property damage and dangerous road conditions. Stormwater run-off must be channeled through a system of pipes, ditches, catch basins and storm drains before being safely discharged into local streams and rivers. Even if a specific property has never flooded, the stormwater that flows from the property still contributes to the overall flow and must be managed so that it does not cause flooding downstream on property or roads.

Why should I care about stormwater?
Any property is likely to generate run-off in a severe rain storm, even if the ground is able to absorb water in a normal rain event.  Everyone in the community benefits from adequate, properly functioning drainage and flood control systems, which decrease the likelihood of flooding, erosion, and the amount of pollutants discharged in surface and stormwater run-off.  

How is stormwater regulated?
The Village stormwater system is regulated by local, county, state and federal entities. The Village is required to manage the stormwater system at a level that ensures compliance with the federal Clean Water Act and in accordance with DuPage County stormwater regulations.

What is the Village doing to address stormwater?
In addition to maintenance operations such as street sweeping, inspecting and cleaning stormwater inlets and the repair and replacment of stormwater mains, the Village commissioned two key studies over the last several years. 

  • A Stormwater Master Plan was completed in 2006 which provided recommendations for how the stormwater system should be managed to ensure compliance with the permit.
  • Subsequently in 2007, a Watershed Infrastructure Improvement Plan (WIIP) was completed which provided recommendations on capital improvements that should be made to the stormwater system.  To address the capital needs for the stromwater system, the Village issued $25 million in debt in 2008.  Approximately $15 miliion has been used to date to improve the stormwater system. 

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