Task Force and Engineers Take on Elmhurst's Great Stormwater Challenge

While engineering skill is needed to fix Elmhurst's flooding issues, the city's Stormwater Task Force was told Tuesday night the solution, itself, is not that complicated: Get the clean water out of the sanitary sewers.

The Stormwater Task Force dove into the deep end of their work Tuesday, meeting in five groups to begin studying the various aspects of the city's flooding problems. But before small-group discussions began, the whole task force heard what the city's storm and sanitary sewer consultants had found so far.

Eight weeks into its contract with the city to provide technical services and guide the creation of a comprehensive flooding plan, Christopher Burke Engineering and the RJN Group are in the process of collecting data to create computer models of how water flows through the city.

The team has identified 10 flood-prone zones: Pine and First streets, Geneva Avenue near East End Park, the area around Jackson Street and Saylor Avenue, Washington Street, Larch Avenue, Seminole near Cottage Hill Avenue, York Road at Interstate 290, the Bryn Haven and Pick subdivisions, and Butterfield Road.

While data collection continues, the engineers do know some of the specific causes of water in basements and back yards. Storm drains on some private lots are allowing clean storm water to flow into the sanitary system, a big cause of the flooding during last summer's storms. Topographical “bowls” in certain parts of the city prevent water from flowing over land. And, in some cases, the water that does flow has to drain through one pipe.

But, Christopher Burke told the task force that water just can't be pushed in another direction.

“You're going to ask, 'Where's that water going?' That's one of the tricks here,” Burke said.

He described possible solutions, but none are easy or inexpensive. Drains in driveways, window wells and sunken stairways of existing houses cost a lot to reroute. Roads can be regraded to allow for better water flow, but this means moving utilities. Some open areas can be used for “dry bottom” temporary storage during rain events, but this means re-thinking the use of recreation space.

Burke and RJN will continue to collect data on water—monitoring the flow as spring rains fall, conducting smoke testing to find out how various pipes are connected and asking residents for information on highwater marks from the 2010 floods.

The Stormwater Task Force will also meet with ComEd to assess the power distribution grid in the city.