Stormwater Management


What exactly is stormwater and what role does the Village play?

Stormwater originates primarily from rain or melting snow. Water that does not soak into the ground becomes runoff. Every property generates runoff and benefits from the Village infrastructure system that manages stormwater. Without proper stormwater management, rain events may result in flooding on roads and properties throughout the Village, leading to property damage and dangerous road conditions. Stormwater runoff must be channeled through a system of pipes, ditches, catch basins and storm drains before being safely discharged into local streams.


The Village manages stormwater by owning and operating a large, complex stormwater infrastructure system which consists of approximately:

  • 7,000 drainage structures
  • 315 detention facilities
  • 140 miles of roadway ditches
  • 130 miles of storm sewers
  • 12 miles of streams
  • 9 miles of culverts


What are the differences in tap water, wastewater, stormwater and stormwater utility?


Tap Water: Treated water that comes from a faucet and used for drinking, bathing, cooking, and household purposes. Tap, or potable water, is managed through the Village's water service.

Wastewater: Non-potable water previously used for showering, washing clothes or flushing the toilet. Wastewater is managed through the Downers Grove Sanitary District, a separate entity from the Village.

Stormwater: Stormwater originates from rain, melting snow, or other outdoor activities (car washing, watering lawn, etc.). Water that cannot soak into the ground either flows directly into creeks or through ditches or storm sewers to the creeks. All runoff eventually enters one of the three creeks in town.

Stormwater Utility: The Village's Stormwater Utility plan calls for a stormwater fee that would cover the cost of future capital projects, debt service related to those projects, and well as operational and maintenance costs.

STORMWATER ASSISTANCE

Village staff is here to help with your stormwater and floodplain questions.

Contact us at 630-434-5460 or stormwater@downersgrovedev.jjcbigideas.com.


Stormwater FAQs

What is a flood plain?


Is my property located in a flood plain?


Why does the Village protect flood plains?


What is an LPDA?


Is my property located in a LPDA?


Why does the Village regulate LPDAs while FEMA does not?


Are there any restricted property uses in an LPDA?

Stormwater Resources
St. Joseph Creek | USGS River Gage | Link

Post-Construction Best Management Practices | pdf

DuPage County Stormwater Management | Outreach Materials | link

FEMA: National Flood Insurance Program | Click here to open

FEMA: Know Your Flood Risk | Click here to open

FEMA: Flood Maps | Click here to open

Contact

Stormwater Management

Julie Lomax

Stormwater Administrator

630.493.8821

Email: Stormwater Maintenance

Email: Stormwater Utility

Watershed Map

Watershed map


National Flood Insurance Program

National Flood Insurance Program text in white over a dark blue image with white silhouette buildings and wavy lines under the buildings.

FEMA

500 C St SW, Washington, D.C. 20472

Disaster Assistance: (800) 621-FEMA

Email: floodsmart@fema.dhs.gov

©2023 The Village of Downers Grove | All Rights Reserved