NIPC BULLETIN
SEPTEMBER 1999
NIPC Identifies Critical Water Resource Issues Facing the Region
For most residents of northeastern
Illinois, water is something that's taken for granted. When
they turn on the tap, a fresh, inexpensive supply is
available. When it rains, water disappears safely into the
nearest storm drain (at least most of the time). And even the
quality of formerly polluted waterways, like the Chicago or
Fox rivers, is visibly better than in previous decades.
In reality, the situation may be quite different from the
public perception. The region still is affected by serious
water problems, particularly flooding, caused by development
30 or more years ago. To make matters worse, recent population
forecasts predict unprecedented growth, particularly in the
outer collar counties, that is likely to tax existing
groundwater and surface water supply systems and threaten high
quality streams and rivers.
To get a better handle on the most serious water resource
concerns, the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission has
assembled over 100 experts from the region and state to
identify and prioritize the most pressing issues related to
flooding, water quality, and water supply. This is the first
step in a two-year strategic planning process that is funded
through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community
Affairs. |
Nearly 50 issues of regional
significance have been identified. The brief listing that
follows represents only the highest priority issues as
identified by our expert advisors.
Flooding: The flat northeastern Illinois landscape
is prone to flooding. Devastating floods in 1996 that caused
over $500 million in damage in Cook. DuPage, Kane, and Will
counties were an ominous reminder that much remains to be done
to reduce existing flooding problems—and to minimize
problems in developing areas.
· Many of the region's regulatory floodplain maps are
seriously out of date and substantially underestimate actual
100-year flood stages. In addition, the official floodplain
maps do not identify some critical areas that are prone to
flooding, such as isolated depressions or properties bordering
small headwater streams.
· Inadequate attention is being devoted to prevention of
stormwater and flooding problems. Particular concerns include
inadequate enforcement of stormwater and floodplain
regulations in some areas, lack of comprehensive watershed
planning, inadequate flood hazard mitigation planning, and
failure to incorporate sustainable development principles in
new development. |
· In evaluating flood remediation alternatives,
there has been an historical predisposition to emphasize and
implement structural flood control projects (such as reservoirs
and levees) over non-structural alternatives (such as flood
proofing or acquisition and removal of flood-damaged buildings).
As a consequence, more cost-effective and/or environmentally
sensitive solutions are sometimes overlooked.
· Serious funding constraints limit the programs of most
countywide stormwater management agencies. While state
stormwater legislation provided authority for a tax levy to
implement these programs, many of the counties are unable to
freely utilize the levy due to the legislative tax cap.
· There is a general lack of understanding about the complex
inter-relationships between development and flooding —
particularly regarding the cumulative impacts of upstream
development on flooding many miles downstream. Local officials,
legislators, academia, the general public, developers, and
design professionals could all benefit from education efforts to
improve their knowledge.
Water Quality: Historical accounts describe a
region of clean and abundant water resources. Rivers, lakes, and
wetlands teemed with fish, birds, and aquatic plants. As a
consequence of agricultural and urban development, however, our
waterbodies became seriously degraded. While multi- billion
dollar investments in wastewater treatment plants during the
1970s and 1980s eliminated the worst pollution problems, too
many of our urban and suburban rivers and lakes still aren't
safe for swimming and don't support healthy fish communities. |
· The vast majority of the region's urban and
suburban streams and rivers still do not meet the
"fishable/swimmable" goals of the federal Clean Water
Act. This 1972 Act aspired "to restore and maintain the
chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's
waters" which "provides for the protection and
propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife."
· The cumulative impacts of "nonpoint" sources of
pollution, particularly urban stormwater runoff, pose
significant water quality problems for the region. These impacts
are heavily influenced by local decisions and continue to
increase due to urban development.
· Nonpoint source pollution problems remain in agricultural
areas, including historical impacts such as wetland loss and
channelization plus the on-going effects of nutrient, pesticide,
and sediment runoff.
· Adequate enforcement of erosion and sediment control
requirements on construction sites remains a critical challenge
in many areas under development.
· Streams, wetlands, and lakes are being adversely affected by
hydrologic modifications, including excessive water withdrawals,
as well as physical disturbances such as draining and
channelization.
· Improperly located, designed, constructed,
maintained, and inspected on-site wastewater systems (e.g.,
septic systems) raise both public health and water quality
concerns in many areas. Inadequate funds commonly constrain
inspection programs and limit the ability to provide alternative
sanitary sewer service. |
Water Supply: Most of the older developed areas of
the region in Cook. DuPage, and Lake counties are adequately
supplied with water from Lake Michigan. However, with large
forecasted increases in population, particularly in the outer
collar counties, the demand for water supply will increase
sharply. Past experience suggests that careful planning will be
needed to assure both the quantity and quality of future
supplies.
· With immense increases in population forecast in the outer
collar counties (70 to 100 percent increases by 2020), the
adequacy of groundwater and surface water supplies is an
important concern. More specifically, there is only a limited
understanding of the capacity of shallow aquifers and the
effects of over-pumping and drought.
· Based on historical experience in areas like DuPage County
prior to the introduction of Lake Michigan water, it may be
difficult to maintain the water quality and quantity of shallow
(sand/gravel/dolomite) aquifers as their recharge areas
urbanize. This problem is aggravated by commercial and
industrial land uses and inadequate identification,
preservation, and protection of groundwater recharge areas. |
· There is a lack of understanding
about the economics of water supply at both the local and
regional levels. At the same time, there are a number of
different factors that affect local water supply investment
decisions, including the quality of the source and the
retention of local control. Further, despite the wide
disparity in local water costs, at current prices the demand
for water appears to be relatively unresponsive to price.
General Issues: In addition to the
issues related specifically to flooding, water quality, and
water supply, a number of overriding issues were identified.
· There is a critical need for improved education of public
officials, plan commissioners, the public, academia, developers,
and design professionals on basic water resource concerns.
· The general public is largely unaware of the seriousness and
negative consequences of improper water resource management in
the region. Increased awareness would likely stimulate citizen
energy and involvement in changing policies.
· There is insufficient focus on implementing cost-effective
preventative measures that could avoid the need for expensive
remedial measures.
· There is a need for better integration of regional issues
(e.g., water quality and transportation) and between various
water resource issues (e.g., flooding and water quality). |
Critical Water Resource Issues
Next Steps
The identification of issues described in this Bulletin was
the first step in the Commission's strategic planning process for
water resource management. We now have begun to identify strategies to
address these issues. This planning process is a continuation of a
40-year history in water resources planning by the Commission,
evolving from the 1966 landmark report, the Water Resource in
Northeastern Illinois: Planning Its Use, to more recent model
ordinances and technical guides.
This ongoing planning process will involve a wide spectrum of public
and private stakeholders within and adjacent to the six-county area,
including the 100+ experts that serve on a Water Resources Advisory
Committee and three task forces. We are now working with these
advisors to identify action-oriented strategies that might, for
example, call for changes to legislation, improved public education,
or changes in the practices or funding allocations of local
governments and agencies
A draft strategic plan for water resource management will be developed
and made available for public review in September 2000. A successful plan
will change the way our region perceives, uses, and conserves water.
Consistent with Commission goals and policies, it is envisioned that
the plan will reflect a consensus that water resources should be
managed more wisely, and that water in all its forms and uses will be
viewed as a resource to be appreciated and utilized wisely rather than
a problem to be disposed of or hidden from view.
For More Information: For additional information on the
strategic planning process for water resource management, or for a
complete listing of water resource issues, contact the Commission's
Natural Resources Department at 312/454-0400. Also, see the
Commission's website (www.nipc.org) for future
information on this process.
|
