On July 24, the Village experienced an unprecedented amount of rainfall (more than 6” over a relatively short period of time), overwhelming our sewer system and resulting in widespread flooding. Residents will receive a special Village Spokesman newsletter in the mail which will provide a status report on Village work activities in follow-up to the storm and strategic planning efforts. Additional information concerning assistance and recovery is available by clicking here.
CUSTOMER SERVICE A PRIORITY
Since July 24, Village staff has made over 200 “house calls” and has responded to over 800 individual telephone, walk-in and e-mail inquiries. About two dozen residents have expressed concerns at recent Village Board meetings. We are listening. Through this interactive process, we have accumulated knowledge to better understand localized and block area flooding, and have provided professional opinions about individual flood control measures.
INVESTIGATIVE WORK
The Village has solicited proposals for an expedited award of contract to systematically clean, televise and evaluate sewers in the block areas and neighborhoods most impacted by the July 24 storm event. The contract was authorized administratively and work began during the week of August 16.
Information gathered from this investigative process will be used to determine, among other things, if our system was operating at optimal performance under such severe conditions, and to identify repair work if needed. This work activity will take approximately 45 days to complete. Please click here for maps of the precise locations to be televised.
STRATEGIC CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
The Village is generally divided into three watershed basins – north of the Burlington Railroad tracks (north drainage basin); between the railroad tracks and 47th Street (central drainage basin); and south of 47th Street (south drainage basin). Due to the age and peak capacity of the combined sewer systems within the north and central basins, the Village has identified relief sewers as strategic capital improvements for these two areas. Two years ago, the Village Board authorized the start of the relief sewer which would serve the central basin; taking advantage of the ability to integrate this work with the phased reconstruction of Bluff Avenue. When the third and final phase of Bluff Avenue (between Cossitt Avenue and 47th Street) is completed in 2011, the combined sewer load of the Bluff Avenue corridor will be transferred to the relief sewer, thereby adding capacity to the Cossitt Avenue sewer which serves the central basin.
As provided for in the Village’s FY 2010-11 budget, the Village Board commissioned a preliminary engineering study on July 26 to determine the feasibility of extending the central basin relief sewer and constructing a relief sewer for the north basin. Although not budgeted, the Village Board approved a similar study on August 9 to evaluate the south basin, because of the type and severity of flooding experienced in this area on July 24. Results from these studies are anticipated in late October / early November 2010. For more information about the relief sewer projects, please click here.
PUBLIC MEETING
The Village is taking a comprehensive, disciplined and strategic approach to evaluating its sewer system. Once the data is collected and analyzed, the Village will host a public meeting at which time it will explain how the Village’s sewer system is configured, its relationship to the Deep Tunnel, findings and recommendations from the investigative work, and flood control measures which homeowners can undertake to protect their property. We are working diligently towards being able to conduct this informational meeting in October. Please visit the Village’s website www.villageoflagrange.com from time to time to learn when that meeting will be held or sign-up under “Notify Me” on the website to receive electronic notice of the meeting and other Village matters.