Services
- Customer Self Service (CSS)
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- Historic Preservation
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- Parking
- Permits
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- Self-Inspection Checklist
- Service Requests
- Snow and Ice Removal
- Social Services Referrals
- Street Maintenance
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Stormwater Management
- Stormwater Utility
- Tree Maintenance
- Utility Bill
- Vendor Self Services
Stormwater Management
What exactly is stormwater and what role does the Village play?
Stormwater originates primarily from rain or melting snow. Water that does not soak into the ground becomes runoff. Every property generates runoff and benefits from the Village infrastructure system that manages stormwater. 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 runoff must be channeled through a system of pipes, ditches, catch basins and storm drains before being safely discharged into local streams.
The Village manages stormwater by owning and operating a large, complex stormwater infrastructure system which consists of approximately:
- 7,000 drainage structures
- 315 detention facilities
- 140 miles of roadway ditches
- 130 miles of storm sewers
- 12 miles of streams
- 9 miles of culverts
What are the differences in tap water, wastewater, stormwater and stormwater utility?
Tap Water: Treated water that comes from a faucet and used for drinking, bathing, cooking, and household purposes. Tap, or potable water, is managed through the Village's water service.
Wastewater: Non-potable water previously used for showering, washing clothes or flushing the toilet. Wastewater is managed through the Downers Grove Sanitary District, a separate entity from the Village.
Stormwater: Stormwater originates from rain, melting snow, or other outdoor activities (car washing, watering lawn, etc.). Water that cannot soak into the ground either flows directly into creeks or through ditches or storm sewers to the creeks. All runoff eventually enters one of the three creeks in town.
Stormwater Utility: The Village's Stormwater Utility plan calls for a stormwater fee that would cover the cost of future capital projects, debt service related to those projects, and well as operational and maintenance costs.
Managing Stormwater at Home
Do you need assistance with drainage issues at your home? Village Staff may be able to help.
What is a flood plain?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delineated areas that have a 1% chance of flooding in any given year, commonly referred to as the 100-year flood plain or the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Areas within the SFHA are regulated by FEMA and are typically low lying areas, usually bordering a water body, which floods during storm events.
There are many misperceptions that these areas only flood once every 100 years. This is actually a statistical probability that translates to a 26% chance of flooding within the life of a 30-year mortgage and a 67% chance of flooding within a span of 100 years. It is possible to have more than one 100-year flood in a single year.
- About the 100 Year Flood
Is my property located in a flood plain?
To determine whether your property is in or near a floodplain, visit the Village's Parcel Navigator map.
- Enter your address in the search box in the upper left hand corner.
- Go to the bottom of the page and click on the "Layers" icon
to open the list. - Click once on the box next to the "Drainage" layer so it changes color
and to make the Floodplain boundaries visible. If the "Drainage" text is greyed out, this means you are zoomed out too far.
You can also use FEMA's Flood Hazard Viewer and input your address. Please keep in mind this service is for the entire nation and results may take a minute to load.
The current FEMA Floodplain maps became effective August 1, 2019.
NOTE: The location of the floodplain on the maps is approximate and based on elevations. To determine the exact location of the floodplain on your property, a topographic survey is required.
Why does the Village protect flood plains?
Floodplains play a valuable role in providing natural and beneficial functions to Downers Grove. Undeveloped floodplains provide protection for buildings and properties, natural erosion & sediment control, and improved habitat for a variety of plants and animals. Flood waters can spread over a large area providing benefits such as:
- Slowing water down (higher speeds cause more damage).
- Storing flood water that would otherwise be sent towards downstream properties.
- Allowing water to soak into the ground and recharge the groundwater aquifer.
- Moderating flood water temperatures, reducing the possibility of harmful effects on aquatic plants, fish, and animals.
What is an LPDA?
LPDA stands for Localized Poor Drainage Area. The Village identified these areas as locations prone to flooding due to topography. In other words, LPDAs are areas of land that are bowl-shaped.
Stormwater runoff that cannot infiltrate the ground tends to accumulate in LPDAs, creating flooding or standing water. Although LPDAs are not recognized by FEMA, Village codes regulate both LPDAs and floodplains similarly.
Is my property located in a LPDA?
To determine whether your property is in or near an LPDA, visit the Village's Parcel Navigator map.
- Enter your address in the search box in the upper left hand corner.
- Go to the bottom of the page and click on the "Layers" icon
to open the list. - Click once on the box next to the "Drainage" layer so it changes color
and to make the Floodplain boundaries visible. If the "Drainage" text is greyed out, this means you are zoomed out too far.
Please note the location of the LPDA on the maps is approximate. To determine the exact location of the LPDA on your property, a topographic survey is required.
Why does the Village regulate LPDAs while FEMA does not?
The purpose of regulating LPDAs is to help ensure that any new construction will be reasonably safe from flooding and that the work will not adversely affect other properties. Filling in a portion of an LPDA, similar to filling in a portion of a floodplain, may increase the flood elevation, potentially leading to a higher chance of flooding to properties.
Are there any restricted property uses in an LPDA?
- Buildings constructed near, or adjacent to an LPDA have restrictions regarding lowest opening elevations and basements. Please refer to Chapter 26, Section 505 of the Municipal Code.
- Any permanent structure, including swing sets and other playground equipment, requires a permit when placed in an LPDA. Please refer to Chapter 26, Section 1303 of the Municipal Code.
Contact
Stormwater Management
Julie Lomax
Stormwater Administrator
Email: Stormwater Maintenance
Email: Stormwater Utility
Watershed Map
National Flood Insurance Program
FEMA
500 C St SW, Washington, D.C. 20472
Disaster Assistance: (800) 621-FEMA
Email: floodsmart@fema.dhs.gov
Contact
Stormwater Management
Julie Lomax
Stormwater Administrator
Email: Stormwater Maintenance
Email: Stormwater Utility
Watershed Map
National Flood Insurance Program
FEMA
500 C St SW, Washington, D.C. 20472
Disaster Assistance: (800) 621-FEMA
Email: floodsmart@fema.dhs.gov
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