As forecasters call for more rainfall this week, the Village of Park Forest is asking residents to pitch in and assist in keeping storm drains clear of litter and debris.
The grated storm drains that you see on almost every street corner allow rainwater to drain from Village streets. The drains are vital during storms when a high volume of water would otherwise cause flooding. Also known as catch basins or inlets, storm drains are the entryway for water to enter the sewer system and represent the first step in stormwater collection and disposal. Park Forest has 1,800 storm drains in town.
Storm drains have grids to prevent large objects from falling into the sewer system. However, the bars are fairly widely spaced so that the flow of water is not blocked. However, many objects do fall through the grids occasionally, causing the drains to be clogged.
When storm drains get clogged with leaves and debris, water can no longer be drained from the street. As a result, water can flood streets, causing hazardous conditions and flooding homes. Monitoring and cleaning catch basins is essential to prevent street flooding, property damage, and other hazards.
Below are safety tips you can do to help keep a storm drain clear:
- Keep yard waste in a bin or container
- Keep a tight lid on your trash cans, especially during windy days
- Rake up leaves and debris on your property that could potentially clog the storm drain
- Pick up pet waste: storm water will carry the waste into the stream which will end up in your storm drain