Wilmette, Ill., Approves $68 Million Storm Water Management Plan

Wilmette, Ill., officials approved a $68 million storm water management plan expected to prevent flooding for 98% of homeowners on the village’s west side. The plan prioritizes the construction of three underground storm water storage facilities.

According to The Chicago Tribune, officials previously were considering a sewer expansion project with an estimated cost of $98 million, but ultimately settled on a plan to expand storage. The plan will be completed in three phases. It includes a base price of $52 million with an extra $8 million to construct larger reservoirs and another $8 million for building more storm sewers.

The new storm water management plan will be funded through a series of bond sales, scheduled to begin in spring 2020. The final plan provides expanded flood protection for more homeowners than the first proposed plan.

“We’re really excited about these projects, which are going to be able to help more homes than we had originally contemplated,” said Assistant Village Manager Michael Braiman.

The first phase of the storm water project which will involved building an underground storage reservoir beneath the Community Playfield is expected to begin in June 2020, according to Braiman. The other two phases will include construction of two additional storm water storage reservoirs beneath Thornwood Park and Hibbard Park.