Mt. Prospect approves drainage system funds

The worst backyard flooding cases in Mount Prospect will get a little drainage help this summer.

The Mount Prospect village board on Tuesday unanimously approved spending up to $252,000 to build special drainage systems for 11 residential properties.

More than 100 residents applied for the drainage help. Of those, village officials picked the 11 worst cases for the program, Village Engineer Jeff Wulbecker said. Many of properties are older homes in the central part of the village.

"We're talking about the worst cases here," said Wulbecker. "After a severe rainstorm, water six inches or a foot deep will pool in these backyards and stay there for several days. The water has to evaporate or sink into the ground, and that could take awhile."

Each system will drain excess water from the backyards through a pipe connected to the village's sewer system. A rain garden consisting of plants will surround the area in the backyard where the pipe is installed.

The 11 homeowners will have to maintain the pipe and rain garden but won't pay for the project.

Trustee Paul Hoefert voted in favor of the plan but said homeowners should contribute in the future.

"Maybe a few dollars," Hoefert said. "If each one costs $11,000 or $12,000, each person could contribute maybe $1,000 or $2,000 to help fund future projects."

The money for the drainage systems comes from the village's water and sewer account. Work on all 11 sites will be done at the same time and will take place this summer and fall.

"This project is long overdue," said Trustee John Korn. "I've been to homes after a storm and seen 12 or 18 inches of water take over a backyard. This is a good start."