Westmont, Illinois - Date Issued: February 19, 2021
“Our Public Works Department provides year-round maintenance of our stormwater system to help decrease the possibility of flooding in our community,” said Public Works Director Mike Ramsey. “As the snow begins to melt, there may be an increased chance of flooding. We encourage everyone to be proactive in protecting your property from possible damage from flooding.”
Following is an update regarding Westmont’s Stormwater Management Program as well as tips for residents to help prevent flooding.
STORM SEWER MAINTENANCE
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.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROJECTS
WPW is consistently improving Westmont’s storm water system with a variety of projects. Following are some of the recently completed stormwater management projects in Westmont:
- 61st / Richmond Stormwater Detention Modification Project
- Deer Creek Detention Modification Project
- 2019 FDHQ Detention Basin Project
- 2019 400 Block North Warwick Stormwater Management Project
- Cumnor / 61st Streambank Stabilization Project
- Engineering Study: Grant / Richmond Flooding Concerns
FLOOD PREPARATION TIPS FOR RESIDENTS
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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Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont
Communications Director/Public Information Officer
630-417-0280
lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
