By Laurie Casey
No, it’s not your imagination. The Chicago area is being lashed by heavier rains more often than in the past. On average, today’s rain storms are 37% more powerful than they were in 1958, according to the National Climate Assessment (“Observed Change in Very Heavy Precipitation”).
“Heavy rains have trended up for many, many years,” says Mindy Agnew, Sustainability Coordinator for the Village of Oak Park, in Illinois. The Village’s Neighborhood Services Division coordinates Oak Park’s Rain Ready Program, a residential water conservation program.
She also periodically witnesses firsthand the unfortunate effects of the rain events on her own property in Oak Park. “I call it Agnew Lake,” she jokingly says of her yard. “During the last rainstorm, I could have kayaked in my yard.”
Many homes in the Chicago area take on water in the basement. Unless there is sewer backup, much of the problem is seepage from over-saturated soil near the foundation or rainwater that finds other ways into a home.
There’s no doubt that climate change is the root of the problem. We all should be constantly advocating for sweeping, effective climate change policy on the local, state and national levels.
Aside from lobbying our elected representatives, we can take measures to mitigate flooding on our own properties and in surrounding communities.
“There are three goals to stormwater management: First, reduce the burden on our local sewer system. Second, reduce the drainage problems in your home. Third, reduce your water usage,” says Agnew.
I spoke with Agnew about the many things we can do.
Plant deep-rooted native plants. Traditional lawn with its shallow root system, doesn’t absorb much rain. Replace as much of your lawn as you can with native plants. They will collect rainwater and bring it deep into the soil with their extensive, fibrous roots. If you want to get fancy, you can sculpt a bioswale into your yard – a below-grade ribbon of water loving plants. Learn more at westcookwildones.org
Plant and care for trees. Trees are amazing at sucking up water from the ground, as well as capturing and holding rainwater on their leaves. If you have a mature tree, care for it. If you want to plant one, some of the best water-loving trees include: poplars, black willows, bald cypress, red and silver maples, elms, swamp white oak, sycamore and sweet gum.
Don’t know much about trees or their water-conserving properties? Through Oak Park’s Green Block Party Program, you can put on a self-guided tree tour of your block’s parkway trees. “There’s no cost,” says Agnew. “We pull the data for every specific tree on your block. Once you know the species, you can visit treebenefits.com to learn the value of your trees. Stormwater management is the biggie.”
Detach gutters from downspouts. You can attach them to rain barrels or attach extensions to bring the water to a rain garden, edible garden bed or other area away from your foundation.
Residents of Cook County can order rain barrels for less than $50 each via a program sponsored by the Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and EnviroWorld: http://enviroworld.us/mwrd
Reduce paved areas. Concrete is a runway to the sewer system. If you have a long driveway or patio that needs repaving, consider using crushed gravel, grass pavers or permeable pavers.
Apply to the Rain Ready Program. The non-profit Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) helps individuals, businesses and communities find solutions for urban flooding via their Rain Ready program. Many communities are jumping on board.
Oak Park’s Rain Ready Program offers expert evaluation of your property and recommendations that encourage water retention on the property. “The ultimate goal is to help manage the rain where it falls,” says Agnew. The program also offers funds for implementation of the plan, but not hardscaping or yard maintenance. Applicants need to qualify for this tax-funded program. https://www.cnt.org/projects/rainready-oak-park
Rod out your sewer pipes. “If you have original clay sewer pipes running from your house to the street, tree and plant roots may block or disrupt the flow of water,” says Agnew.
Contact NICOR. Ask about your eligibility to get free, low flow shower heads and faucet adaptors.
Collect the water. In extreme cases, your yard may be so over-saturated with water, and so low relative to neighboring properties, that an above ground cistern or below ground dry well might make sense to collect the storm water.
Use a dishwasher. Most modern dishwashers are more efficient than hand washing.
Conserve water during storm events. Not only does conserving water in and outside of your home help the environment, it also saves you money. “When you conserve water, that’s money that’s not going down the drain,” says Agnew. Don’t run dishwashers and washing machines or take long showers during and after big rain events. You’ll reduce pressure on your village’s sewer system as well as downstream communities.
Learn more:
https://www.greencommunityconnections.org/water
https://www.oak-park.us/your-government/environmental-initiatives
https://greatlakes.org/
https://mwrd.org/education