DuPage County Stormwater Management News & Updates

DuPage County, Illinois sent this bulletin at 09/21/2019 12:28 PM CDT

September 2019                                                                                                                              View this email in your browser
DuPage County Currents

DuPage County Opens Elmhurst Quarry for Public Tours

Elmhurst Quarry Tour

DuPage County Stormwater Management Committee Chairman Jim Zay, County Board Member Bob Larsen and Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Commissioner Mary Lou Wehrli join DuPage County Stormwater Management staff and the public in touring the Elmhurst Quarry Flood Control Facility.

In partnership with the Elmhurst History Museum, DuPage County Stormwater Management (SWM) opened its Elmhurst Quarry Flood Control Facility to a sold-out crowd in September. More than 500 people registered to get a rare, inside look at this DuPage County landmark. During the event, attendees learned how the County uses the Quarry to manage floodwater, along with its history in the community. With a capacity of 2.7 billion gallons, the Elmhurst Quarry is the largest of five mechanically operated and 12 gravity-operated flood control facilities in DuPage County.

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SWM Encourages Proper Leaf Disposal

Leaf Removal Video

[Video] How to dispose of leaves properly.

DuPage County residents are encouraged to dispose of leaves properly this fall. When leaves blow into storm sewers and waterways, they can become a source of water pollution. Leaves can also build up along streets and block storm drains, which can lead to localized flooding. Residents can avoid these issues by composting, bagging and mulching leaves.

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DuPage Hosting Deicing Workshops

DuPage County and the DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup (DRSCW) are hosting two winter deicing workshops, one geared toward public agencies (Oct. 24) and another for local organizations (Oct. 17). The purpose of these annual workshops is to teach attendees how to reduce the presence of chloride in waterways, while keeping roads, sidewalks and parking lots safe.

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Around Town

In an effort to reduce the number of pumpkins reaching landfills after Halloween, SCARCE is hosting their annual Pumpkin Smash in several DuPage County locations on November 2. Began in 2014, the Pumpkin Smash has diverted more than 254 tons of pumpkins from landfills. Instead, the pumpkins are composted, which returns nutrients and water to soil, leading to healthier groundwater and streams. In addition to Illinois, SCARCE has assisted communities in eight other states in launching similar programs.

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Pumpkin Smash 2019

Upcoming Events

Carol Stream Water Reclamation Center Open House

Saturday, October 5, 2019, 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

The Village of Carol Stream is hosting an open house of their Water Reclamation Center, which will feature plant tours, hayrides, truck displays, rain barrel giveaway and other family-friendly activities. SWM and SCARCE will also have an exhibit featuring an interactive watershed model. The event will be held at the Water Reclamation Center, located at 245 Kuhn Rd. in Carol Stream.

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2019 Parking Lot & Sidewalk Deicing Workshop

Thursday, October 17, 2019, 7:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.

DRSCW and DuPage County are hosting a winter deicing workshop for private contractors. The purpose of this workshop, held at DuPage County's Division of Transportation (140 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton), is to educate attendees on alternatives to traditional salting practices and methods to reduce the presence of chloride in waterways, while keeping parking lots and sidewalks safe.

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2019 Public Roads Deicing Workshop

Thursday, October 24, 2019, 7:00 A.M. - Noon

DRSCW and DuPage County are hosting a winter deicing workshop for public agencies. The purpose of this workshop, held at DuPage County's Division of Transportation (140 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton), is to educate attendees on alternatives to traditional salting practices and methods that may reduce the presence of chloride in waterways, while keeping roads safe.

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Pumpkin Smash 2019: Green your Halloween

Saturday, November 2, 2019, 9:00 A.M. - Noon

Don’t trash it, smash it! The Pumpkin Smash is an annual effort by Illinois communities to divert pumpkins from landfills by providing locations for residents to drop off jack-o-lanterns to be composted. Held the Saturday after Halloween, SCARCE will be updating DuPage County locations as sites sign on. To date, the Pumpkin Smash has diverted over 254 tons of pumpkins from landfills.

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2019 Thanksgiving Cooking Oil Collection

Saturday, November 30, 2019, 9:00 A.M. - Noon

In partnership with SCARCE, select DuPage County communities will be collecting used, liquid cooking oil (no bacon grease or other solid animal fats) to be recycled into biodiesel. The goal of this one-day event is to make it easier for residents to dispose of their leftover or expired liquid cooking oil properly. In addition, DuPage County has nine permanent collection locations for recycling cooking oil year-round.

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