DuPage County Stormwater Management News & Updates

DuPage County, Illinois sent this bulletin at 02/16/2024 03:03 PM CST

February 2024                                                                                                                             View this email in your browser
DuPage County Currents

DuPage County Stormwater Management Releases 2023 Annual Report

annual report

Chuchill Woods Forest Preserve this past summer, one of the many beautiful wetlands SWM regulates across the County. Photo Credit: Austin Murray, Intern

SWM released its annual report for 2023 in early February. This year saw immense progress on flood control projects and stormwater infrastructure improvements across the County. Almost 50% of the Department's total allocation of $22 million dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was spent in 2023. Between in-house projects and partnerships with townships and municipalities, our work has resulted in 33,000 ft of new or restored storm sewers, 6 million gallons of new flood storage capacity, and reduced flooding impacts on hundreds of households.

Read the Report

SWM Sponsoring "Beyond the Basics" Next Thursday

btb

SWM is sponsoring The Conservation Foundation's "Beyond the Basics" seminar next Thursday, February 24. This is a professional-geared event that delves deeper into various problems and solutions in stormwater management. The event is free, but advanced registration is required. Find the agenda and registration info at the link below.

More Info

SWM Accepting Public Input on Water Quality Program

SWM is currently accepting input on their Countywide Water Quality Program. SWM has created a virtual meeting for the public to learn more about the program, as well as submit comments. The program includes DuPage County and 41 municipalities and townships partnering to meet water quality goals outlined by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

More Info

Around Town

SWM began construction on the Main Street Flood Storage Facility this month in Lisle. This nearly $2.2 million project, funded entirely through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, will provide 390,000 cubic feet of additional floodwater capacity and help to protect the surrounding community from widespread flooding. Weather dependent, this project is expected to be substantially complete this April.

main st

Crews began initial tree clearing for the Main Street facility in mid-February.

Upcoming Events

"Planting and Caring for Understory Trees" Workshop

Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 5:30 P.M. - 6:30 P.M.

With spring almost upon us, join the Chicago Regions Tree Initiative’s Trinity Pierce on a short walk through a garden at the Morton Arboretum to learn about opportunities for enhancing the biodiversity and resilience of your native gardens by planting understory trees and shrubs. After the walk, we will go inside to learn more about the Chicago Region Tree Initiative’s programs that help residents plant and care for trees as well as opportunities to get involved. Light snacks will be provided. Event is free with registration. Space is limited.

More Info

Beyond the Basics 2024

Thursday, February 22, 2024, 8:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

SWM is sponsoring The Conservation Foundation's "Beyond the Basics" seminar next Thursday, February 24. This is a professional-geared event that delves deeper into various problems and solutions in stormwater management. The event is free, but advanced registration is required. Find the agenda and registration info at the link below.

More Info

"Beautifying and Maintaining Your Stormwater Management Areas" Virtual Workshop

Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 7 P.M. - 8 P.M.

SWM has invited Jack Pizzo of Pizzo & Associates, Ltd. to talk about what it takes to maintain detention basins on your property or in your HOA. While their primary function is to hold water, installing native plants can provide a host of other benefits. They not only make the basin more beautiful, they clean the water, reduce erosion on the banks, prevent algae from growing, and provide tons of habitat to local wildlife. Natural spaces need stewardship that can save money over the weekly-mowed lawn. The benefits start as soon as the work begins and grow rapidly over time. Come learn how you can make this happen!

Register Here