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Stormwater runoff is rainwater and snow melt that runs off the land and enters streams, rivers, and lakes, often flowing through a community's storm sewer system. As rain and snow runoff occurs, the runoff flows by gravity over and through drainage swales, ditches, curb and gutters to the underground Village storm system or to stormwater detention basins. The Village’s network of underground storm sewers consists of concrete structures, catch basins, and piping. The underground network of the Village's storm sewer system helps trap some of the litter, dirt, and large debris that get washed into the system and carry stormwater and melting snow to rivers, streams, retention ponds, and detention basins.
Routine maintenance and repairs are necessary to ensure the conveyance of stormwater through the Village’s network of ditches, storm sewers, detention basins, and tributaries. Some of the most common maintenance conducted by Public Works are repairs to deteriorating catch basins, pipes that have separated due to settlement, and jet rodding of storm pipes that have been clogged by roots or other debris. Completing this work reduces the likelihood of flooding, sinkholes, and future deterioration of the storm sewer system.
The Village of Lindenhurst is compliant with the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, which is designed to educate the public and effect a change in the way we conduct our daily activities with an eye toward improving the quality of the water that flows into bodies of water. This, in turn, will improve the water quality in our creeks, streams, rivers, and lakes.
The framework and reporting requirements of the NPDES Phase II program are Federal Law and were handed down to local communities from the United States Environmental Protection Agency through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). However, the structure of the program within the local community is designed by the community itself and is tailored to the types of activities occurring within the community. The Village is responsible for implementing the program it has designed, and the IEPA conducts periodic audits of our performance to ensure that the programs is being properly administered.
The Village of Lindenhurst developed its Stormwater Management Program Plan (SMPP) with the help of the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission that meets standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. The SMPP describes the procedures and practices that can be implemented by the Village of Lindenhurst toward the goal of reducing the discharge of pollutants within stormwater runoff in order to comply with Federal standards.
Every effort is made to protect downstream waters from our stormwater system. The use of Stormwater Management Plan is used to help determine necessary repairs and prioritize repairs in the Village's Stormwater Repair Program. Additionally, Public Works provides the following services to promote stormwater management:
- 50/50 Culvert Replacement Program: The Village's culvert replacement program reimburses residents who replace their culvert to improve stormwater drainage. Residents who qualify will be reimbursed 50% of the cost of their construction materials up to $750. For program requirements and application, please visit the Village's 50/50 programs page.
- Pool Drainage: Prior to draining all pools, in preparation for winter storage or repairs, Public Works will test the pool water for chlorine to ensure that it meets the regulatory requirement of 0.05 mg/l chlorine residual prior to discharging to the ground. This testing can be scheduled by calling Village Hall at 847-356-8252 or through the Village's service request system.
