DuPage County Stormwater Management News & Updates

DuPage County, Illinois sent this bulletin at 08/28/2024 01:10 PM CDT

August 2024                                                                                                                                  View this email in your browser
DuPage County Currents

SWM to Open Elmhurst Quarry to Public, Sep. 28

quarry

During a previous public Elmhurst Quarry Tour, SWM staff explains how the west lobe of the Quarry takes in water from Salt Creek during flood events via a pipe under Illinois Route 83, moving it to the adjacent east lobe.

In partnership with the Elmhurst History Museum, DuPage County Stormwater Management (SWM) will offer the public a rare opportunity to take a tour of its Elmhurst Quarry Flood Control Facility on Saturday, September 28th. Tours will depart from the Elmhurst History Museum, located at 120 E. Park Avenue in Elmhurst, via bus every 30 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Each tour will last approximately 2 hours. Cost for the tour is $15 per person, payable to the Elmhurst History Museum. Quarry tour ticket sales will begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3rd.

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Another Great Year for STEM-a-Palooza

child

Kids learn about the different pollutants rainwater can pick up on its way to the nearest river or lake with this interactive watershed model, a big hit at STEM-a-Palooza.

SWM's booth at the DuPage County Fair was a big hit last month, along with the rest of STEM-a-Palooza hosted by SCARCE. The Department brought back the popular Emriver stream table, an amazing tool to teach about river processes and the effects of manmade structures on stream health. When combined with the classic watershed models run by SCARCE and the traveling "Where Water Goes" exhibit, there was plenty of water quality learning going around!

Best Practices for Draining Pools

Hard to imagine summer coming to an end when it's so hot out, but fall is just around the corner! SWM is reminding residents how to properly drain pools for the season to protect water quality. Chlorine can be toxic to aquatic organisms, so pool water should be de-chlorinated and pH-neutral before being drained.  Further, pool water should be discharged into a grassy area to infiltrate into the ground and should never be discharged into storm drains.

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Around Town

The inaugural Conservation@Home DuPage Garden Showcase took place last month, sponsored by SWM and organized by the Conservation Foundation. The event invited participants on a self-guided tour of over 20 beautiful, eco-friendly gardens across the County, all certified by the Conservation@Home program for featuring native plants, water-smart gardening practices, and valuable wildlife habitats. The organizers hoped that residents would get green inspiration for their own yards by seeing the successes of their neighbors. The event was a resounding success, with over 300 participants gaining exclusive access to some gorgeous gardens!

garden

Guests admire the showcased garden of a home in Lombard, one of the many featured gardens across the County.

Upcoming Events

Parking Lots & Sidewalks Deicing Workshops

Various dates, check link below for details

The DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup is partnering with multiple organizations to host virtual and in-person winter deicing workshops for public agencies. The purpose of the workshops is to educate attendees on alternatives to traditional salting practices and methods that may reduce the presence of chloride in waterways, while keeping parking lots and sidewalks safe. Registration is $35 for in-person and $85 for virtual attendance, and attendance is only necessary at one of the two workshops.

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Public Roads Deicing Virtual Workshop

Various dates, check link below for details

The DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup is partnering with multiple organizations to host virtual and in-person winter deicing workshops for public agencies. The purpose of the workshops 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. Registration is $35 for in-person attendance and $85 for virtual, and attendance is only necessary at one of the six workshops.

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Elmhurst Quarry Flood Control Facility Public Tour

Saturday, September 28, 2024, 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

In partnership with the Elmhurst History Museum, SWM is opening its Elmhurst Quarry Flood Control Facility to the public. In addition to learning more about its history, DuPage County residents will get the rare opportunity to tour the Quarry and learn how the County uses it to manage floodwater today. The Elmhurst History Museum will open registration on September 3 at 9 a.m., and the cost is $15 per person.

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