Southwest Elmhurst Wet Weather Control Facility Project

The Southwest Elmhurst Wet Weather Control Facility (WWCF) project includes a redesign of the lift station at Saylor and Jackson with large capacity pumps (in addition to the existing pumps), the installation of an 18” wet-weather force main, and the erection of a two-million gallon excess flow storage tank at the Water Reclamation Facility.

How is it designed to work?

During normal conditions, the smaller (dry weather) pumps at the Saylor and Jackson Lift Station convey flow through the 10” force main (recently replaced) to the interceptor sewer on McKinley Avenue. During large storm events, these pumps will shut down and allow the high-capacity pumps to take over and pump the flow directly to the Water Reclamation Facility. If the storm is so large that the treatment plant reaches capacity, up to two million gallons of the flow from the Saylor and Jackson Basin will be pumped into the storage tank.

Who will benefit from the WWFM and WWCF?

The Saylor and Jackson Lift Station Basin is comprised of approximately 660 homes, and the addition of the wet-weather force main and larger pumps will greatly reduce the risk of sanitary sewer backups for these homes by increasing the amount of flow that the lift station can pump away from the basin during large storms. At present, the lift station pumps all flow to the intersection of Saylor and McKinley Avenue. Once the WWCF and WWFM are in operation, the lift station will no longer need to pump to this location during large storm events, which will also reduce the risk of backups for homes tributary to the McKinley Avenue interceptor, an area of approximately 1,700 homes.

This project was undertaken in connection with the settlement of an enforcement action taken by the Illinois Attorney General and the Illinois EPA for alleged violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act.

Sewers and Forcemain:

The portion of the project consists of the installation of approximately 5,600 L.F. of 18” sanitary force main constructed using open-cut excavation, directional drilling, and bored and jacked steel casing. The project also consists of the installation approximately 5,600 L.F. of conduit for fiber optic cable with force main for the lift station controls, 2,300 L.F. of open-cut 24” gravity sewer, and 400 L.F. of open-cut 6” water main.

Saylor & Jackson Lift Station Modifications and Controls:

This portion of the project consists of the phased modifications, demolition, and expansion of the existing Saylor and Jackson Lift Station, including site clearing, excavation and grading, construction of a new cast in-place wet well, expansion of the existing building, demolition and removal of the existing mechanical piping, installation of new mechanical equipment and controls, standby generator, five new pumps (two dry weather and three wet-weather), and all necessary piping and appurtenances.

SWEWWCF Storage Tank:

This project consists of the construction of an above-ground, open-top 2.0 MG  wastewater storage tank, including site clearing, excavation and grading, mixing and flushing systems, controls, standby generator, and all necessary piping and appurtenances.

  
2015 Sanitary Sewer Lining Project
The segments to be lined in the 2015 project are in basins 17, 18, 21 & 24 in areas identified as a problematic and a major source of infiltration. During annual maintenance, inspections found the sanitary sewer lines to have multiple cracks and pipe defects. The (CIPP) cured-in-place-pipe project is a procedure to remove infiltration from the collection system and to improve the structural condition of deteriorating pipes in the basin. 
 
2015 RJN Field Investigations
RJN to provide professional engineering services to identify public and private sector defects in south Elmhurst. Services to be performed are Manhole inspection, Dye flooding, building inspections and dye testing.
 
In House Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising
The Sanitary Sewer Cleaning Project is a planned approach to minimize sewer backups and blockages of the sanitary sewer system through systematic root-cutting and/or flushing City-owned sewer pipe. In-House Project targets 75,000 LF of sewer line to clean and/or root-cut.
  
Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG) Program
City crews inspect 190 Food Service Establishments (FSE) and Auto/fuel dispensing facilities each year. The goal is to inspect these facilities annually to make sure proper maintenance to their grease traps is performed to keep from entering the city collection system. Grease is a major source of sanitary sewer back-ups in the sewer system.
 
Sanitary Sewer Improvement Plan (SSIP)
Projects listed in conjunction with the Sanitary Sewer Improvement Plan were undertaken in connection with the settlement of an enforcement action taken by the Illinois Attorney General and the Illinois EPA for alleged violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Pursuant to the Consent Order entered on September 17, 2014, the City of Elmhurst has agreed to have the City’s Public Works and Building Committee create a proposed “Sanitary Sewer Improvement Plan” by December 31, 2014, outlining specific actions it is recommending the City undertake to reduce inflow and infiltration (“I/I”) in the City’s Sanitary System along with a schedule for implementation of the Sanitary Sewer Improvement Plan.

RJN Group, Inc. of Wheaton presented  an SSIP update and forecast at the December 14, 2015 Public Works & Building Committee.  This presentation outlines the long-term and short-term improvements that will be implemented by the City.  A copy of the 12/14/15 presentation can be found here.

Supplemental Education Project (SEP)

The City of Elmhurst has completed the Salt Creek (Greenway) Trail Pumping Stations Water Quality and Landscape Enhancements project involving improvements at four pumping stations: Harrison, Jackson, Berkley & Adams, and McKinley. On Wednesday, September 23rd the City hosted an open house to introduce these improvements to the public.

The goal of this project is to model the proper use of erosion and sedimentation control techniques using best management practices and educational displays. This work will help to manage sedimentation/siltation, mineral and nutrient mitigation, aid in stormwater detention, promote indigenous plant growth and model sustainable practices for the community of Elmhurst. These improvements can be replicated at individual homeowner's properties within our community to help improve water quality and reduce run-off.

Along the Greenway trail, you will see a green roof system, porous (permeable) pavers, rain gardens and exterior native plantings/perennials at the four demonstration sites. Copies of these educational panels can be found below. This project was undertaken in connection with the settlement of an enforcement action taken by the Illinois Attorney General and the Illinois EPA for alleged violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act.