Managing stormwater and protecting the environment became a focus of attention for Riverside residents and the larger 4th Congressional District during a town hall discussion with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) leadership. MWRD Commissioner Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda joined U.S. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García (4th Dist.) and State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (21st Dist.) for a town hall meeting for the 4th Congressional District in Riverside with Village of Riverside President Doug Pollock and Riverside Township Supervisor Vera A. Wilt on Feb. 26 at L.J. Hauser Junior High School. 

The MWRD has committed to nearly 250 stormwater management projects to help alleviate flooding throughout Cook County, with many standout projects on prominent display in Riverside. The MWRD and Riverside recently agreed on plans to transform a commuter lot so that it mitigates flooding and protects local water quality in the nearby Des Plaines River. Thanks to a new permeable surface funded by the partners, the lot will be able to capture 97,000 gallons of water each time it rains. 

“We thank Congressman Garcia, Rep. Rashid, the Village of Riverside and Riverside Township for their continued partnership,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “Stormwater management requires working together at the local, state and federal levels.”

 

The new green parking lot, known as Commuter Lot # 8 south of the BNSF tracks off Quincy Street, is planned for construction later this year. It is the second green parking lot project that the MWRD has collaborated on with the Village of Riverside.

In 2019, MWRD, Riverside and Metra officials completed Metra Commuter Lot #1, a green parking lot surface that provides more than 252,000 gallons of stormwater storage per rain event. The permeable parking lot and bioretention areas at Bloomingbank Road and Barrypoint Road reduce the load on the combined sewer system and help alleviate flooding within the project area.

The MWRD also helped fund the construction of a 24-inch storm sewer outlet to the Des Plaines River and restricted flow from the storm sewers of the railroad drainage area to the existing combined sewer in Riverside. 

These projects vary in scope and appearance, but they all take on the same significance in protecting Riverside from flooding and improving area water quality directly impacting the Des Plaines River. 

“It was wonderful to have the opportunity to speak to constituents about public health, green and grey infrastructure, and how we are working to move our respective districts forward,” said Commissioner Corral Sepúlveda. “Thank you to all who organized and attended this town hall event.”