Chetek, Wisc., Receives $40,000 Storm Water Planning Grant

The city of Chetek, Wisc., has been notified that it will receive a $40,000 federal grant for storm water planning. According to a recent article in the Chetek Alert, the grant was written by Todd Ochsner of the Chippewa Falls office of engineering firm SEH, Inc.

Dan Knapp, director of Public Works said every little bit helps with projects such as this one.

According to Ochsner, the money is coming from the urban non-point source and storm water planning grant program, which allows municipalities to go through the Department of Natural Resources in order to plan for the future of the area.

Ochsner added that city officials wanted to take examine the Chain of Lakes to make sure the quality of the water is increased and the pollutant level is decreased. This will be done by determining where polluted runoff is coming from during rainfalls, and how to reduce those pollutants.

The city is most concerned with the increased temperature of the water resources. When rainwater hits hot pavement, the temperature of the water is raised. When it runs off into the lakes, it raises the water temperature there as well, which can harm the habitat.

The city wants to perform a non-point source solution analysis to identify the different types of polluting substances that are in the runoff. Then the city will use a computer hydraulic modeling process to find the best way to address the pollution problem.

According to Ochsner, one idea has been a retention pond where rainwater could be collected and cooled to the appropriate temperature. Then the water would released into the lakes.

The money from the grant will be available to the city Jan. 1, 2006.

Source: Chetek Alert