Stormwater Partnerships
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Local governments and public agencies in Cook County can apply to the MWRD for help with funding stormwater projects. The four partnership programs below are offered on a regular basis. Click on a program below to apply.
Available programs
Stormwater Partnership
Green Infrastructure Partnership
Conceptual Projects
Voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition
Latest Updates
December 2024
Upcoming Deadlines!
Green Infrastructure Partnership Program pre-apps are due Dec 31st. Finalize application by Mar 2025.
Stormwater Partnership Program pre-apps are due Jan 31, 2025. Finalize application by Apr 4, 2025.
Voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Program deadline is Jan 31, 2025.
November 2024
Conceptual Project Partnership pre-apps are due Nov 29th.
Green Infrastructure Partnership Program pre-apps are due Dec 31st.
October 2024
Green Infrastructure Partnership Program Webinar (pre-recorded) is available! This webinar reviews updates to the program and guidance for completing the pre-application.
Applying for a Partnership video is available! This video reviews the questions and documents needed for MWRD partnership applications.
Village of Crestwood unveils completed flood control project
The MWRD partnered with Crestwood to improve the Crestwood Drainage Ditch, detention basin, and install new storm sewer on 135th street.
What is a partnership?
It is the MWRD's mission to support communities and their need to address local stormwater management issues. The MWRD can help local governments by providing:
- reimbursement towards the construction of stormwater infrastructure, including green infrastructure,
- reimbursement towards the purchase of flood-prone property, and
- technical and design assistance to address a local flooding problem.
Selected applicants enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the MWRD*. The partner is responsible for their project's design, award, construction, and long-maintenance. The partner ensures MWRD’s purchasing and labor standards are met, and must comply with MWRD’s Diversity goals for the project.
(*) Note: Applicants selected for technical and design assistance are expected to take an active role in project design.
FAQs
The MWRD can only partner with public agencies within Cook County. This includes municipalities, townships, park districts, school districts, county agencies, and other government organizations.
If there is flooding in your area that needs to be addressed, please contact your local municipal government. Information such as location, type of flooding, flooding depth as well as how often it floods will be useful to your local government for planning purposes as well as applying to programs like MWRD's partnership programs.
Work involving maintenance of existing stormwater infrastructure, including green infrastructure, is excluded from funding. This also includes repair or replacement of facilities or property damaged due to flooding.
Applications are considered out of date after a period of 1 year. Submitted applications are archived. If you would like a copy of your previous submission, please contact stormwater@mwrd.org
Reference documents
Please visit the partnership program reference documents webpage to view additional program materials and forms.