Flood Mitigation

Village Flood Mitigation Objectives

The occurrence of high-intensity rain events has increased in recent years. These events generate stormwater that exceeds the capacity of the Village’s sewer system, which can result in flooded basements, overland flooding, and flooding on private property. As a result, a study was conducted which recommended a tiered approach to the prioritization of flood control objectives. Tier 1 implements solutions to address overland flooding and water pooling in depressional areas and Tier 2 reduces the frequency of combined sewer backups. To fund the first phase of initiatives, the Village Board enacted a voter authorized increase in the local retail sales tax and approved increases in the Municipal Utility Tax, Simplified Telecommunications tax, and sewer rate.

Sewer Construction & Rehabilitation

The Village continues to identify and pursue improvements to its sewer system, which includes newly constructed conveyance systems and rehabilitating others through a robust televising and slip-lining program. To learn more about ongoing large-scale sewer conveyance systems construction projects, visit the Current Sewer System Initiatives webpage for details.

Protecting Your Property

• Materials from Village Board Meetings and educational workshops hosted by the Village are also available.  View Stormwater Management Frequently Asked Questions for additional helpful information. 
• View the Illinois Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management Guide to Flood Protection in Northeastern Illinois. 
• View the Mitigation and Basement Flooding Presentation and Repairing Your Flooded Home resource from the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA). 
• View the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District's Green Neighbor Guide focusing on stormwater management projects you can build or install on your property. 
• The Community Development Department provides technical consultation to residents considering the installation of permeable pavers, dry wells, overhead sewers, rain gardens, and bioswales. 
• In 2022, a Sewer Backup Prevention Grant program was created.  Review the factors that determine eligibility and the application process.  

Green Infrastructure Improvements

Brick pavers allow water to absorb into the ground rather than drain into the combined sewer system, decreasing the burden placed on the sewer system.  The design reduces storm water runoff rates, volumes and pollutant loads, and partially restores the natural hydrology at the site of installation. 

Disconnect your home’s downspouts so they drain onto pervious (absorbent) surfaces instead of into the sewer system. It is important to make sure the disconnected downspout does not direct water toward your foundation or a neighbor’s foundation. Consider directing flow to a rain barrel or rain garden area. Rain barrels are available for purchase from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and allow rain to be saved for reuse around your yard. 

Flooding Report and Flood Management

To report a flooding event, please fill out the Flooding Event Report Form. Incidents can also be reported to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District by completing their Incident Reporting Form.

Information regarding proper cleaning of a flooded home is available through the Illinois Department of Public Health. For more information, visit www.floodsmart.gov which has several resources including steps you should take after a flood.