Project partners from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) and the Village of North Riverside unveiled a sparkling campus of green amenities designed to capture more stormwater, protect the water environment and mitigate flooding.

MWRD President Kari K. Steele, MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn, Commissioner Eira Corral Sepúlveda, and Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos joined North Riverside Mayor Joseph Mengoni, village trustees, State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (21st Dist.) and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar (16th Dist.) for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on green parking lots at the Village Commons, 2401 S. Des Plaines Ave., North Riverside. Watch the ceremony.

The installation is one of the MWRD’s largest Green Infrastructure Partnership Program projects, converting six asphalt lots into permeable pavement, covering 71,000 square feet, designed to capture up to 539,000 gallons of water each time it rains.

“We congratulate and thank North Riverside on this remarkable investment toward green infrastructure and community resilience,” said President Steele. “Because of this expansive coverage of six green parking lots, we will have better protection from future storms, attractive community spaces and cleaner water in the Des Plaines River and beyond.”

The North Riverside green parking lots were one of 10 projects that the MWRD selected in 2022 through its Green Infrastructure Partnership Program. The MWRD contributed $1.28 million toward the $1.53 million in total improvements. The stormwater captured in the permeable pavement diverts water from combined local sewers to mitigate flooding, reduce basement backups and improve area water quality.

“North Riverside is proud to partner with the MWRD on the completion of our community’s largest green infrastructure project,” said Mayor Mengoni. “This permeable paver project will naturally divert stormwater from the Village’s combined sewer system to address local flooding issues and safeguard our rivers and water resources during large rain events. The investment in our community by the MWRD cannot be overstated and will continue to have a positive impact for decades to come.”

The new lots will accommodate parking for the Village Hall, police and fire stations, and public works department. Construction called for the demolition and removal of existing asphalt. Construction crews then dug to a depth of about 21 inches and backfilled with filter fabric, 17 inches of three distinct stone layers and an under-drain system set higher up in the stone base. They then topped it with brick pavers to create a natural solution that keeps water out of the sewer system. 

“I commend the Village of North Riverside and the MWRD for their leadership and vision on this project,” said Rep. Rashid. “Tackling climate change by building resilient infrastructure begins in our communities and neighborhoods. I am committed to working with local officials and stakeholders in the region to continue making progress toward a more sustainable future."

Green infrastructure is designed to manage stormwater by mimicking nature. It captures and stores water where it falls, allowing stormwater to infiltrate into the ground before entering the sewer system. This reduces the amount of water flowing through sewer systems that are often overwhelmed by intense rain events. It can be a way of reducing stormwater runoff and improving the water quality of area rivers and streams.

“We must exhaust every avenue to address flooding in our communities,” said Commissioner Aguilar. “This is a smart, effective, and green investment that will provide relief for years to come. I’d like to thank MWRD President Kari K. Steele and the entire MWRD Board of Commissioners, North Riverside Mayor Joseph Mengoni, Village Clerk Kathy Ranieri and all the Village Trustees for their hard work to make this happen.”

"It's an honor to celebrate the completion of this permeable pavement project in North Riverside," said MWRD Commissioner Eira Corral Sepúlveda. "This innovative project is a testament to the power of collaboration between the MWRD and our communities. By working together, we can create green infrastructure solutions that not only enhance our environment but cut costs and mitigate flooding risks. This project helped successfully capture more than half a million gallons of water.  Thank you to Mayor Joe Mengoni and the Village of North Riverside for your partnership." 

In 2015, the MWRD adopted a plan to increase the acceptance and investment of green infrastructure practices throughout Cook County. Every year, the MWRD reviews applications and selects green infrastructure projects for partnerships. The selected partner is responsible for their project's design, contract advertisement and award, construction, and long-term maintenance.

Since 2015, the MWRD has partnered with dozens of public agencies, municipalities and government entities to fund a range of green infrastructure projects. In 10 years, 107 green infrastructure projects were constructed, with an additional 24 projects planned for completion in 2024 and 2025 from previous calls. These projects can retain around 18 million gallons of water each time it rains.