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* WBEZ…
From July 2 to July 18, more than 12,000 basement flooding reports [in Chicago] were filed with 311, more than the number of basement flooding reports filed in all of 2021 and 2022 combined, according to a WBEZ analysis. […]
“We can expect to see more of this where you’re gonna see large precipitation events leading to floods,” said Donald Wuebbles, professor emeritus of atmospheric sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “It’s going to continue to get worse, and we need to plan for that.”
O’Connor said the MRWD is doing as much as it can to alleviate flooding, but that “in older parts of the system, we still have more work to do.” She said the agency currently has more than 85 active projects to manage local stormwater. Since 2008, the agency has spent $506 million on stormwater and green infrastructure projects, according to Allison Fore, an MWRD spokesperson.
That’s less than $34 million a year. Chump change.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 10:53 am
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Pardon the snark, but until cps gets a raise, more benefits and time off, there will continue to be public works projects that go unfunded.
Comment by 40,000 ft Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 11:05 am
If I lived in one of those areas prone to basement flooding I would take a serious look at finding a backflow prevention system to invest in. It sucks for everyone else but I don’t want sewage backing up into my basement.
Comment by Aaron B Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 11:06 am
NPR had a story this morning about how many home insurance companies are no longer insuring homes in areas hit by climate-related weather (mostly California right now). Climate-resiliency should be Chicago and Illinois’ top marketing pitch going forward, with access to Lake Michigan freshwater being at the forefront. That argument falls apart if we can’t get stormwater management under control and figure out a unified way for suburban communities to affordably access Lake Michigan water. With everyone fighting for their own interests, the State needs to step in ASAP and provide leadership.
Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 11:07 am
In all fairness to MWRD, the agency has made vast strides at increasing capacity, with the new floodwater reservoirs at McCook and Thornton having as much capacity as entire branches of the Deep Tunnel system. These have cost billions, and I am sure that billions more will have to be invested.
Comment by Ares Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 11:09 am
Stormwater management is a complicated and forever moving target, especially in areas like Cook County and DuPage County with high levels of development and varying ages of stormwater infrastructure. In older areas, less efficient and dated stormwater management systems coupled with increased development county wide, lead to systems becoming overwhelmed and localized flooding developing. I know in 2021, MWRD did a study in Austin and other west side communities which, in partnership with the City of Chicago, would have developed a plan to combat flooding and improve stormwater infrastructure.
Part of that plan included stormwater planters which if not maintained and kept clear of garbage and debris become counter productive. That said, a project of updating that level of stormwater infrastructure is no small feat. Here, to remedy the problems in Humbolt Park, Garfield Park, and Austin, the city and MRWD would need to basically dig up everything west of Western, North of Roosevelt, East of Austin Boulevard and South of North Ave, basically a 12 square mile area. I don’t think anyone thinks that would be a small, routine, or cheap undertaking or that planning could be accomplished for that level of project in less than a few years, let alone identifying funding mechanisms for such a project.
Comment by Just Another Anon Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 11:10 am
Also flooding is the main way roads get damaged, water sinks seeps under asphalt and wreaks havoc.
Comment by Lake Villa Township Dem PC Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 11:14 am
Retrofitting sewage backflow preventers into a home isn’t cheap but a City / MWRD program to assist homeowners with doing so would probably be a good first goodwill step.
Comment by ChicagoBars Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 11:27 am
So everyone gets check valves and flood control systems, what does that do to the overworked infrastructure that starts at the curbline? It’s pushing the water around with a broom when we need lifeboats. We need big solutions.
Comment by P. Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 11:36 am
I cover the sewer in front of my house; I’m the low spot for my side of the block, plus I get alley runoff. Called my village, their sewer vac is broken and they don’t have the money to fix it, so if the sewer is full of debris like it looks, I’m stuck with that unless I pay for a private cleanout. House is worth too little to dig to install a backflow preventer. At least the basement is unfinished….
Comment by thisjustinagain Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 11:40 am
Those who have flood insurance made the right choice and are saved from the worst of the financial damage. But how many homeowners have that as part of their coverage, or can afford it?
But massive damage caused by an overheated planet, causing insurance companies to leave affected areas and leaving the costs to be borne by homeowners and governments, pales in comparison to the harm caused by “woke ideology.” Priorities. /s
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 11:47 am
Even flood insurance is no guarantee, tbh. The floods that hit Lake County a few years a go totally destroyed the basements in a friend’s neighborhood in Libertyville. She had both flood and sewer backup insurance but they refused to pay; appeals did nothing for her.
Comment by Lulu in Lake Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 12:48 pm
The MWRD does programs with municipalities to assist with the installation of permeable pavers and concrete in alleys and other areas to keep stormwater out of the sewer system. The GA could help by incentivizing private industry to install such infrastructure on private property. Some sort of tax break or similar. The more stormwater that is kept out of the sewer system the better.
Comment by Original Rambler Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:08 pm
A good portion of Chicago is built on swampland and river floodplains. More water detention projects need to be built to stop or delay rainwater from flowing into the sewer system.
Comment by TNR Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:13 pm
every little bit will help. all those big open parking lots, new ones have to be permeable. replace old ones with permeable structure. your lawn? don’t water it, better yet, replace as much as you can with native plants and your garden…except your kitchen garden…should go that way too. deep roots take in water. disconnect downspouts to sewer connections. let water go onto your garden, lawn, native plantings. sure, these are small measures, but for residences they add up. apply measures to government projects. stop hardscaping at your house. that new patio you want? permeable paver system.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:19 pm
Chicago and the collar has made great strides in trying to deal with stormwater. It is one of the most progressive parts of the country for this. The Illinois State Water Survey have updated all the flood frequency data we use to design our infrastucture. Its going to take even more progressive efforts in the age of climate change (i.e more extreme rainfail events) to eliminate and prevent damgages. We can do it and make ourselves a leader, but its not going ot be easy or cheap.
Comment by BluegrassBoy Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:32 pm
Buyout homes and businesses that repeatedly flood and turn them into parks that will hold stormwater. Reduce impervious surfaces like asphalt, concrete and mowed grass (stormwater runs off of mowed grass at just about the rate it runs off of asphalt). Forget your basement, it has morphed into a sanitary system overflow area. Plan and use accordingly. Major climate is happening. Work with it or be crushed.
Comment by froganon Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 2:49 pm
The peace of mind we got installing the sewer line backflow preventer was worth the money, Especially after two sewage backups into a finished and then (because of flood damage) unfinished basement. Insurance companies should offer homeowners an incentive for installing the things, to protect the home and everything in the lower levels, part of the homeowner policy.
The other two options, a simple screw-in standpipe in the floor, or an overhead serwer system with the pumps and holding tanks - were not as efficient or foolproof for the money spent.
I’d also suggest you add a water-pressure-based backup system to your sump pump, if you don’t have it now. We went without electric power for a week after the derecho, but still had water pressure. We were afraid of the sump backing up into the basement. A car battery based backup is okay for a few hours… but not an entire week of rains. A hydraulic ram in your sump system will save you a basement’s worth of property and possessions some day.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 2:56 pm