DuPage County Stormwater Management News & Updates

DuPage County, Illinois sent this bulletin at 12/20/2023 11:15 AM CST

December 2023                                                                                                                             View this email in your browser
DuPage County Currents

2023 SWM Construction by the Numbers: 7 Projects, $4.13 Million in Total, 97% Funded by Grants

winfield

A portion of Winfield Creek has a new lease on life after SWM completed its streambank stabilization project, funded mostly through a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

2023 was a busy year for the Department! A total of seven projects were constructed across the County and are currently operating to protect DuPage communities from flooding. Notably, nearly 97% of the $4.13 million invested in these projects came from grants, including the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a significant financial win for County taxpayers. Improvements from the four large-scale and three localized drainage projects include new storm sewer systems, replacement of aging stormwater infrastructure, streambank stabilization, earth excavation and native plant restoration. These enhancements will protect over 150 properties from flooded streets, backyards and basements, in addition to compromised HVAC and septic fields. 2024 already looks to be another major year of accomplishments as the Department continues to strategically apply its allocated ARPA funds to the most impactful projects for County residents.

Water Quality Grant Applications Due January 5th

wqip

Click the image above to view the WQIP Story Map, an overview of the program and past projects.

SWM is currently accepting grant proposals for projects aimed at improving the quality of the County’s streams and rivers. In its 25th year, the Water Quality Improvement Program (WQIP) grant awards 25% of funding for projects exhibiting a regional water quality benefit, such as green infrastructure, restoration and native plantings. Follow the link below to find everything you need to complete your application.

More Info

Get Real-Time Water Updates Right in Your Inbox with WaterAlert from USGS

The US Geological Survey's WaterAlert system is a very helpful tool for keeping track of changing water conditions at a location of your choice. Users can set up email alerts whenever the stream elevation, detected rainfall or discharge rate at a monitoring location reaches a certain threshold, which the user also picks. This could be useful for government staff, residents living near floodways, or anyone looking to stay informed of their local water conditions.

Sign Up for WaterAlert

Around Town

SWM and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (OHSEM) recently hosted a workshop on Substantial Flood Damage Estimates at the County campus. County and municipal staff listened to a representative from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) talk about the post-flood inspection and permitting process for communities in the National Flood Insurance Program. Thanks to this multi-level collaboration, County agencies can be more efficient at assessing flood damages and helping impacted residents rebuild.

sde

County and municipal staff listen to an overview of the process for flood damage estimates.

Upcoming Events

DuPage Environmental Summit 2023

Thursday, January 18, 2024, 8:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

The virtual DuPage Environmental Summit is back on Thursday, January 18th on Zoom! The topic this year is “Agroecology & Community Centered Agriculture,” but regardless of whether you live or work in DuPage County, you’re sure to be energized by the wealth of information shared on how residents and communities can increase their climate impact by growing and sourcing healthy food locally and equitably, guided by and in tune with our local ecology. The Summit is free and open to everyone. Find the agenda and registration info at the link below.

More Info

KDSWCD Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Workshop

Wednesday, January 31, 2024, 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

Kane-DuPage Soil & Water Conservation District is hosting their annual workshop on soil erosion and sediment control at Elgin Community College. A full schedule of expert speakers will cover engaging topics in the soil and water space. Tickets are $35, breakfast included. PDHs offered! Find the agenda and registration info at the link below.

More Info