OVERVIEW 

The residents of East Elmhurst experience sewer backups from the city sewer mains whenever there is any moderate to heavy rainfall. Hurricane Ida and this year's storm on September 29th caused significant flooding to homes resulting in several inches to feet of hazardous sewer backup in many homes in the neighborhood. Our goal is to prevent sewer backup through green infrastructure, enhancements to the sewer system, maintenance of existing infrastructure, and incentives for homeowners to implement flood prevention measures. 

GOALS 

• Prevent sewer backup through cleanup of the city sewer mains.
• Cleanup of all catch basins and rain gardens to ensure proper drainage
• Installation of additional rain gardens on blocks with severe flooding in homes
• Incentivization for flood prevention measures that divert storm water away from the sewer.
• Increased capacity for the city sewer mains in East Elmhurst.

MILESTONES 

Cleanup of catch basins and rain gardens 

Timeline: Within the next 3 months 

City Sewer Main Cleanup 

Timeline: Within the next 6 months 

Installation of new rain gardens 
Hurricane Ida and the recent storm on September 29th devastated basements through sewer backup, resulting in thousands of dollars in lost items and damage. Many streets received significant sewer backup and did not benefit from any new green infrastructure. 

Timeline: Within 1 year, before the next heavy rainy season 

Flood retrofit incentivization for homeowners 

Homes need to divert as much stormwater away from the sewer main to help reduce the chance of sewer backup during heavy rainfall. 

Many homes in East Elmhurst have flat roofs. Roughly 85% of the water on these roofs can be diverted via downspouts to backyards to a few high capacity dry wells or rain barrels to reduce sewer overflow. 

Additionally sump pumps and backwater valves can be installed to prevent sewer backup in basements. However, flood retrofits can be expensive and many homeowners in the neighborhood are elderly or residents without the funds to afford these updates to their homes. 

Timeline: Within 1 year 

Increased capacity for the city sewer main in East Elmhurst 

All of the measures above may not be enough to reduce stormwater as housing development and the overall population increases in East Elmhurst while the overall sewer capacity remains the same. Climate change is resulting in record rainfall and eventually the neighborhood will fall into severe decline if nothing is done to improve the sewer backup problem. 

Timeline: Within 2-5 years 

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