Elgin

  • Project Goals

  • Existing Conditions

  • Project Committee

  • Design Solutions

  • City Council Approval

sewer pipe construction illustrationOne of 12 combined sewer basins within the City of Elgin, the Lord Street Basin is a 500 acre, 1500 home area in the central part of the City. The Basin is bound by US Rt. 20 on the south, the Fox River on the east and Commonwealth and South Street on the west and north.

 

This area is currently served by a combined sewer system which crosses under the Fox River. The existing sewer system was designed to allow combined sewage overflows to the Fox River during heavy rainfall events.  Additionally, the area has experienced street flooding and sewer backups into homes.

 

The City of Elgin has authorized the separation of the sanitary and storm system in order to reduce or eliminate overflows into the Fox River, reduce localized flooding events and residential sewer backups, and reduce the amount of “clean” stormwater sent to sanitary treatment plant.

Flood sign

Existing Conditions

 

 

CBBEL conducted a study of the combined sewer system draining the Lord Street basin. The study analyzed the impact of different types of storm events to determine the existing condition capacity.

 

CBBEL presented the existing conditions flooding model to the Project Committee at the March 11, 2010 stakeholder meeting. Community representatives provide input based on observations of flooding and generally concurred with CBBEL’s findings.

Community input sought for decision-making process

Project Committee

 

 

To facilitate community input into the decision-making process on the design, the City of Elgin named a Project Committee with representatives of CBBEL, the South West Area Neighbors (SWAN) and City Staff. A professional facilitator is assisting the committee with the process.

The Committee members work in partnership to identify a design recommendation.
boundary map of Elgin

Design Solutions

 

 

At a subsequent meeting, CBBEL presents proposed solutions to the Project Committee. The Project Committee, in turn, will review and discuss the options presented and formulates a recommendation.
 
The City of Elgin receives CBBEL’s proposed solutions and Project Committee recommendations, and prepares for a presentation to City Council.
City Council reviews and ultimately authorizes a design solution

City Council Approval

 

 

City Council reviews and ultimately authorizes a design solution and recognizes the work of the Project Committee. Actual construction of the first phase of construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2010 and be completed by the end of 2010.
 
 

Elgin

Project Overview

Project Overview - Project Overviw

The City of Elgin has a combined sewer system serving approximately 3,090 acres of the central part of the City with 10 combined sewer overflow (CSO) points. The CSOs discharge to the Fox River under Permit IL 0070505. The IEPA is requiring the City to minimize CSO frequency and volume, and actively work to reduce water quality impacts from CSOs. This is critical as the section of the Fox River where the City’s CSOs discharge has been identified as being “impaired”. Most importantly, the IEPA has requested that the water quality impacts of the City’s CSOs be reevaluated in detail and it appears the direction being taken by EPA is to bring CSOs in line with historic procedures for wastewater treatment plants.

The Lord Street Basin is one of 12 combined sewer basins within the City. The Lord Street Basin consists of approximately 500 acres north of US 20, east of Commonwealth, southeast of South Street, south of Holly/Standish, and east of the Fox River.

This area is currently served by a combined sewer system which crosses under the Fox River at Souster Avenue extended in an 18” sewer and has a 48” CSO at Lord Street extended. The existing sewer system was designed to allow combined sewage overflows to the Fox River during heavy rainfall events.  Additionally, the area has experienced street flooding and sewer backups into homes.