Flooding issues

We have made great strides in this area since I have been on the Council, but we still face great challenges. 

Wheaton has officially identified 19 "Flood prone areas".

Mitigation options include:

• Localized improvements on private property to redirect water,
• Individual home flood proofing,
• Intensive Public Works projects, and
• Optimization of storage facilities.

We have moved forward with projects for some areas, but there are challenges with right-of-way, constructability/feasibility, regulations, and funding. I will continue to advocate for solutions in this area.

Link to City Website on this: Link

Sanitary Sewer Back Ups result from the sanitary sewer system exceeding capacity. This happens during a weather event when rain water gets into the sanitary sewer lines.

The best solution for immediate relief to a home owner is an overhead sewer. The City has a cost matching program for this installation, which was increased from 50% to 75% (max of $8,000).

To Apply for the Overhead Sewer Program please visit this page: Link 

Other City-wide solutions include:

• Adding storage
  • In Wheaton or
  • At the Sanitary District
• Lining sanitary pipes (to reduce rain/ground water from infiltrating the pipes)

Most common in backyards, water will settle in a location without any drainage and then remain.

If you are experiencing this visit this page and schedule a Drainage Review: Link

The City Engineer will investigate the property and propose solutions. 

**Note: These will likely need to be funded, in part or wholly, by the resident**

This is an area that, I believe, the Council needs to investigate further. Including:

• Increasing the Storm Sewer system's capacity.
• Providing a program to assist residents in installing swales or a drain and pipes to connect with the storm sewer system.

What makes this issue difficult is there is no clear cut definition here. What is the threshold for action? Standing water for 1 day, 4 days, 1 week?

Again, this is an area that I would like to move forward, if voted in for another term.