Title/Name/Summary
Stormwater Basin Improvement Program Amendment
History
There are over 550 stormwater basins (detention ponds) in the Village that are part of the overall stormwater management system. Designed and constructed with the individual subdivisions, the basin's primary function is to serve as a critical component of the Village's stormwater management system because developments add more impervious runoff surfaces like parking lots, sidewalks, and roofs. Without these ponds, this extra water would be introduced into streams/creeks faster, increasing flow and would damage natural streams/creek drainage; increasing flooding on properties downstream. The ponds serve as a way to collect the water and slowly release to the same streams/creeks. They also serve a vital role to protect homes around the pond from flooding issues. While there is a secondary benefit for residents to have a water view, the main reason they are in place is for stormwater management.
Approximately 170 of the aforementioned stormwater basins are maintained by the Village. As the functionality of each basin is directly related to the stormwater sewer system, the responsibility for maintenance and management of the ponds has resided with the Village Public Works Department. Over $500,000 is invested each year in maintaining and upgrading these facilities.
In February 2011, the Public Works and Engineering Committee and PW Staff presented a strategy for a structured program to review and improve stormwater basins. These efforts resulted in the establishment of the Village's Basin Best Practices Program. The broad goals of this program include:
1. Establish a comprehensive and consistent Village-wide approach to basin and basin shoreline management;
2. Provide consistency in expectations among all stakeholders;
3. Utilize the right resources at the right time provided by the best-qualified parties;
4. Follow industry best practices for ecological restoration and maintenance.
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