Overflow Action Day Alert
Heavy rain will continue in the Chicagoland area today. Reduce your use of water during and after the storm to help prevent flooding and protect water quality:
- Delay showers and baths
- Flush less frequently
- Wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine
Flooding and sewer backups can happen for a variety of reasons, ranging from conveyance of water flow in local pipes, the groundwater table, undersized drainage designs and roof loads, and sump pumps attached to house lines. To help prevent flooding inside or around your home, there are actions you and your family can take before and during rainfall. Learn more about how to prepare for stormwater at this link: https://mwrd.org/community-action/you-can-help-prevent-flooding-and-protect-water-quality.
MWRD staff work 24/7 protecting the water environment, mitigating flooding, managing waterway elevations, and keeping operations moving at its seven water reclamation plants. The MWRD treats an average of 1.47 billion gallons of wastewater per day, but that number can soar above 2 billion with intensive rainstorms. After consecutive days of rain, there is less capacity for the MWRD to hold and treat the additional water. Learn more about Combined Sewer Overflow prevention here: https://mwrd.org/community-action/overflow-action
Sign up to receive Overflow Action Alerts via text
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/YhH2xGP/MWRDSignup
Learn what you should do during flooding:
https://mwrd.org/community-action/what-you-should-do-during-flooding
For more information and explanations about how the MWRD’s infrastructure and waterway system operate, visit these links:
Learn about the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP)
https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/tunnel-and-reservoir-plan-tarp
Understand how the Chicago Area Waterway System works
https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/reducing-flooding/chicago-area-waterway-system-caws
Learn about the types of sewer systems in Cook County
https://mwrd.org/community-action/understanding-your-sewer
Request a presentation for your community
https://mwrd.org/education/speakers-and-outreach
Tour our facilities
https://mwrd.org/education/tours
Municipal partners can review stormwater partnership opportunities
https://mwrd.org/stormwater/partnerships
The top of the MWRD’s website displays a notification if an Overflow Action Alert is active. Visit mwrd.org.
Overflow Action Alerts are a joint initiative of the MWRD and Friends of the Chicago River.
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