DuPage County Stormwater Management News & Updates

DuPage County, Illinois sent this bulletin at 08/03/2023 08:30 AM CDT

August 2023                                                                                                                                  View this email in your browser
DuPage County Currents

SWM Brings River Model Magic to DuPage County Fair

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A collage of photos from the County Fair, including a child exploring the new Emriver stream table, the rain barrel raffle prize, SWM staff engaging someone about the raffle and posing in front of the stream table.

SWM's booth at the DuPage County Fair was a big hit this past weekend, along with the rest of STEM-a-Palooza hosted by SCARCE. The Department unveiled a new education model, the Emriver stream table, which captured the minds of both kids and adults. The model uses water and a special plastic medium to simulate river processes over time, allowing for highly realistic recreations of natural rivers and the effects of various interventions like dams and native plants on erosion. The mesmerizing table is an incredible tool for engaging the public on stormwater management, and SWM is very grateful to the Illinois Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management (IAFSM) for loaning us the model.

Another popular offering was the raffle of a special rain barrel, hand-painted by our very own Laura Sheetz in the style of Andy Warhol's soup can artwork. Over 120 people joined the raffle, and the lucky winner will be announced soon!

Lufkin Park ARPA Project Almost Complete

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An overview the Lufkin Pond expansion in the middle of construction.

SWM is nearing completion of the Lufkin Pond Drainage Improvements project that began in mid-July. The pond, located in the Village of Villa Park, is being expanded to almost double the stormwater capacity in order to reduce flooding in a neighborhood that has suffered severe historic flooding. Designed in partnership with Villa Park, construction was carried out by Earthwerks Inc., SWM's on-call contractor. The total cost of the project is approximately $1.3 million, entirely funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Once complete, maintenance responsibilities will be handed over to the Village of Villa Park.

Illinois EPA Opens Grant Opportunities for Green Infrastructure Projects

The IEPA recently opened applications for the Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (GIGO) Program, offering $10 million in funding to improve water quality in the state. The program supports projects that address stormwater runoff and nonpoint source pollution through GI best practices that preserve, restore or enhance natural hydrology. This is the largest funding pool since the program began in 2021, and awards are expected to range from $75,000 to $2.5 million. Applications are due by October 18, 2023, see below for full details.

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Around Town

SWM internships are wrapping up this month, and they were able to fit in a lot of useful and interesting experiences during their short time. Besides water quality testing, outfall inspections, and wetland site visits, interns were taken on tours of various key facilities throughout DuPage County. Interns learned about reuse, recycling and environmental education at SCARCE's facility. They then saw how drinking water and wastewater are processed at the DuPage Water Commission and the Knollwood Wastewater Treatment Plant, before finishing off with a traveling tour of SWM's operating facilities like Elmhurst Quarry and Armstrong Park. We're sad to see our interns go, but excited to see what these bright minds will do in the future!

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SWM Director Sarah Hunn leads County interns on a tour of Armstrong Park.

Upcoming Events

Bensenville Public Works Open House

Saturday, August 5, 2023, 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

Join Bensenville Public Works for a unique experience allowing you to get a behind-the-scenes look at the skills, tools, and equipment required to maintain the village's infrastructure! At this family fun-filled event, you can participate in activities and visit booths about Forestry, Streets, Water, Fleet and Building Services, Wastewater, Stormwater, Engineering, and Emergency Management.

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Taste of Roselle

Friday, August 4 - Sunday, August 6, 2023, All Day

The Roselle Lions Club is hosting Roselle’s best block party of the summer, the 41st Annual Taste of Roselle. Bring family, friends, and your appetite and come out and enjoy the great food, live entertainment, carnival, Bingo tent, and craft fair. Come see SWM's booth on Sunday!

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Water Quality Lunch 'N Learn - "Expected Climate Change Influences on Upper Midwest Aquatic Systems

Thursday, August 10, 2023, 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M.

This webinar will be a practical discussion on the expected trends in weather patterns due to climate change and the expected impacts to natural areas, especially aquatic systems in the upper Midwest. Changes in precipitation patterns are already being experienced in northern Illinois, including more overall rainfall and more high-intensity, short-duration events. These rainfall events will likely be followed by drought periods on unpredictable lengths. The impacts to green infrastructure areas like wetlands, rivers and lakes could be significant. The program will discuss concerns for future planning and restoration efforts of these systems, with perspectives offered for ecological restoration and design professionals.

Vince Mosca is Vice President and Senior Principal Ecologist of Hey and Associates, Inc. Vince has been involved with thousands of wetland and ecological assessment projects over the past 34 years in northeastern Illinois and Wisconsin. Vince regularly leads regulatory permitting efforts for both public and private sector projects. Many of his recent projects relate to green infrastructure planning and design for stormwater quality and quantity management.

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