Following a call for projects that began late last year, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) has selected 10 area communities to receive support and funding to mitigate flooding throughout Cook County.

The MWRD’s Stormwater Partnership Program includes a geographically diverse range of projects across Cook County; drainage improvements, flood mitigation and storm relief investments in Mount Prospect, Park Ridge, Harwood Heights, Oak Park, Maywood, Calumet Park, Palos Township, Flossmoor, Lansing and Richton Park. Combined, the 10 selected projects could potentially benefit more than 1,000 structures impacted by flooding.

“Living through a global pandemic and record May rainfall, we are happy to deliver this exciting news that will make a difference in the quality of life for these communities in search of stormwater management support and relief,” said President Kari K. Steele. “Working together through the MWRD’s Stormwater Partnership Program, we can directly assist these communities in addressing flooding.”

MWRD Commissioner Kim Du Buclet, chair of the Stormwater Committee, agreed. “Large storm events and excessive runoff cause this flooding so investments in sewer infrastructure projects is vital to increase communities’ ability to manage stormwater.” Commissioner Du Buclet also highlights that “these infrastructure projects will make necessary investments in many local communities across our region to help address flooding as well as build more resilient communities across Cook County.”

The partnership program funds projects that utilize a variety of traditional engineered solutions such as localized detention, upsizing critical storm sewers and culverts, pumping stations, and establishing drainage ways, alongside green infrastructure. Projects are prioritized on their ability to reduce flooding and the number of structures benefited among other criteria. Government entities, including municipalities, townships, county agencies, park districts, school districts and other local government organizations were all eligible to apply.

In May and again in July, the MWRD Board of Commissioners authorized the MWRD staff to negotiate intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) with the selected partners to define the roles and responsibilities of the project development, including long term operation and maintenance responsibilities which are assigned to the partnering agency. After completion, the MWRD inspects the project installation, ensuring maintenance is in line with the project’s operation and maintenance plan. Once the parties agree in principle, the MWRD will again return to the commissioners seeking authority to enter into the individual IGAs.

The MWRD staff reviewed 46 local stormwater projects submitted for MWRD funding. The review process took into consideration project implementation factors revolving around the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants who were not selected from this call for projects can still submit again under a future call for green infrastructure and/or local stormwater partnerships. The MWRD anticipates holding another call for Stormwater Partnership projects this fall. For more information, visit mwrd.org.

For a complete list and description of the selected projects, see below:

Local Stormwater Partnerships.pdf