Committee Formed to Address Flooding Issues Says Stopping Basement Backups is Top Priority

A citizens group studying sanitary sewer issues hopes to finalize recommendations on fixing flood-prone areas by late May, the Public Works and Buildings Committee heard Monday.

The sanitary sewer subcommittee of the Stormwater Task Force revealed two priorities: eliminating basement backups and eliminating infiltration of water into the sanitary sewer system.

Subcommittee Chairman Matthew Sherman said the group is especially interested in cost-effective solutions that target the city's problem areas. For example, the committee is weighing the merits of city-sponsored plumbing inspections in neighborhoods most affected by flooding, he said. The inspections would help determine corrective measures for each home, as two homes even next door to each other could require different solutions.

Sherman added that while overhead sewers—a system that pumps water up from the lowest elevation in a home—are often seen as a universal solution, easier and cheaper ideas exist that could be better for certain homes. Some problems might be solved with the installation of check valves, at a cost of about $2,500 each, which would stop the return flow of sewage, he said.

The committee also has discussed the city providing a basic level of protection as outlined in a report completed by RJN Group. RJN and Christopher Burke Engineering were hired to analyze the city's water systems following storms that caused massive flooding in 2010. RJN's report recommends eliminating any remaining combined residential storm and sewer systems and reversing downward-sloping driveways.

Public Works Director Mike Hughes noted that research already completed by RJN indicates driveways sloping down into garages are not as large of an issue as once thought; only about half of those tested would need to be fixed.

Sherman said his committee has relied heavily on sanitary system information  provided by the consultants. The Sanitary Committee is the second to highlight consultants' work for aldermen. A subcommittee on ComEd service .

Public Works and Buildings Committee Chairman and 6th Ward Alderman Jim Kennedy said he expects all committees to present their recommendations, but policy and funding questions will be left up to aldermen.

Sherman agreed.

“We're going to giving you the pieces to the puzzle. You're going to put it together to get a complete picture,” he said.