DuPage County Stormwater Management News & Updates

DuPage County, Illinois sent this bulletin at 09/23/2024 10:30 AM CDT

September 2024                                                                                                                            View this email in your browser
DuPage County Currents

Upper West Branch DuPage River Watershed Plan Studies Underway

west branch

View of the West Branch DuPage River within McDowell Forest Preserve, near Naperville. Click on the image for an interactive map of the full study area.

DuPage SWM has begun work to develop a water quality watershed-based plan for the upper segments of the West Branch DuPage River. Funding for this project is provided by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency through Section 604 of the Clean Water Act. The purpose of the plan is to identify causes and sources of waterway impairments and propose solutions in the form of water quality projects and programs. A well-attended initial stakeholder meeting was hosted in mid-September, and staff have been in the field all summer assessing every inch of the watershed planning area. Citizens are invited to help these efforts by submitting observations of stream issues to the Citizen Reporter App, which can be found in the link below. The plan is scheduled to be completed by December 2025.

Citizen Reporter App

SepticSmart Week: Protect It & Inspect It!

septic

[Video] An EPA QuickTip video on the importance of properly using and maintaining your septic system.

Last week the U.S. EPA celebrated SepticSmart Week, and shared lots of resources for homeowners with septic systems. One of the most important things you can do to protect your septic system and the surrounding water quality is to have it regularly inspected and pumped out. A leaking septic system spells doom for water quality, and can also cost homeowners thousands in repair costs. For DuPage-specific maintenance recommendations, please contact the DuPage County Health Department. You can also visit the EPA's website for a host of other septic system resources.

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Leaf Management = Stormwater Management

SWM is encouraging DuPage County residents to dispose of leaves properly this fall. When leaves blow into storm sewers and waterways, they leach excess nutrients which can pollute waterways. Leaves can also block storm drains, which can cause localized flooding. Residents can avoid these issues by composting, bagging and mulching leaves. Check out the video below for helpful tips!

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Around Town

Last week, SWM hosted a special four-day field course on wetland delineation for early wetland and ecology professionals. Students spent the week in a variety of local forest preserves learning the ins and outs of wetland plant identification and hydric soil recognition in order to identify the boundaries of an existing wetland. This is an important skill set for many agencies and companies, with some students coming from out-of-state for the class.

wet

Wetland scientists gather to learn specific plants that mark the presence of a wetland.

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.

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Winter Chloride Watchers Training Workshop

Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.

Join the Conservation Foundation at Lombard Village Hall to learn how to be a Winter Chloride Watcher! The program is a once-a-month commitment through the winter to testing a local waterway for chlorides, and reporting your results. This training session will teach you everything you need to know to make your work as easy as possible. Click the link below to register!

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SAVE THE DATE: Pollution Prevention Seminar for MS4 Communities

Thursday, November 7th, 2024, 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

SWM is hosting our annual training for municipal staff and consultants on Pollution Prevention in-person at Bloomingdale Golf Club this year. This seminar is for employees of DuPage County MS4 municipalities/townships, and not open for the public. Registration details coming soon!