Residential Drainage Improvement Program

The Residential Drainage Improvement Program was developed to help residents solve their drainage problems in order to keep their properties safe from potential flood damages and to mitigate issues associated with standing water on properties. The program also serves to promote transparency and communication to our residents on how the Village addresses drainage issues.

PURPOSE
The intent of this program is to address storm water drainage issues (storm sewer) in Flossmoor and not wastewater collection (sanitary sewer) issues. 

NOTIFICATION
If you feel that you have a storm water drainage problem, please fill out the Residential Drainage Problem Form located here. A downloadable PDF version of the form is also available below if you would prefer to fill it out and hand deliver it to the Public Works Department (1700 Central Park Avenue). 

INSPECTION
Public Works Staff will contact you to schedule an inspection of the drainage problem to determine what level of assistance the Village can provide to resolve the problem. Please be prepared to provide as much information as available for the inspection. This includes photographs and specific dates of the actual drainage issue. Photographs of the drainage issue are very important for the inspection and evaluation process. If a resident cannot provide photographs, Public Works Staff may be required to wait for a future storm event in order to take the necessary photographs. 

REQUIREMENTS*
For a residential property to be eligible for Village assistance in constructing a drainage improvement to resolve a drainage problem, the property must conform to ALL of the following criteria:

1. Standing water must remain in the problem area for more than 48 hours after the end of the rain event, or flood waters are impacting a habitable structure or roadway.
2. The drainage problem can’t be solved by conventional methods, such as regrading portions of the yard to provide positive pitch or removing objects that are blocking the flow of storm water.

In addition to the above criteria, the evaluation of the drainage problem will include a review of the intensity and duration of the rainfall event occurring just prior to the inspection, weather conditions immediately after the rainfall event and a review of the condition of the grass cover on the properties involved.

*Please note: If it is determined that the drainage problem DOES NOT meet the above criteria, Public Works Staff will provide technical assistance to the property owner so that they can correct the drainage problem individually.

EVALUATION & MITIGATION
If it is determined that the drainage problem DOES meet the above criteria, Public Works Staff will further evaluate the problem, develop a plan for mitigation, and provide a score for the drainage problem so that it can be added to the Village’s drainage improvement project list. The projects on the list will be ranked and prioritized based on the score that was assigned during the evaluation process. All eligible projects will remain on the project list until they are completed, or the problem is mitigated through another project. Depending on a project’s ranking on the list, it could take several years for it to be funded and completed. The Village may also adjust the ranking of projects based on other factors, including but not limited to: funding, land acquisition, private improvements and regional significance. Projects may also be re-ranked if conditions have changed since the initial evaluation. Pending available program budget, the Village’s goal is to complete all projects within three years of being put on the list.

• Projects with an estimated cost of less than $25,000 will be completed based on their ranking and with the budget that is available in the Village's Storm Sewer Fund.  
• Projects with an estimated cost of $25,000 or more will be added to the Village’s Capital Program for future funding consideration. These projects may take longer to complete depending on cost and the availability of grants and/or other funding.
•  Eligible projects will be scored and ranked based on the criteria shown in the table below:

*Safety Hazard is defined as a drainage issue that is blocking access or creating a slippery condition on a roadway, parking lot, or sidewalk in the public right-of-way. A safety hazard does not include wet, saturated, or flooded areas of turf or landscape areas in the public right-of-way or public property.

This program is managed by our Public Works Director John S. Brunke, PE, CFM, who is a Professional Licensed Engineer and Certified Floodplain Manager in the State of Illinois. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Public Works Department at (708) 957-4100.