Point your downspout away from your house
The pipe from your roof's gutter should point out onto the grass, not toward your house — that way rain can soak into the ground instead of rushing into the sewer.
Flood Preparedness
Help prevent flooding.
Chicago’s land is flat, so this area has always been prone to flooding — long before it was a city, it was marshland with slow rivers that flooded often. The good news: everyone can help. Here are 14 simple things you can do, big or small.
Sign up for storm alerts
Get a text or email before a big storm hits, so you know to use less water that day and leave more room in the sewers for rain.
Get a rain barrel
Catch rain from your roof in a barrel instead of letting it all rush down the drain — then use it to water your plants!
Throw away old medicine the right way
Don't flush unused medicine down the toilet or sink — it can end up in our rivers and lakes.
Plant native plants
Plants that naturally grow here soak up more rain than grass and hold the soil in place with their strong roots.
Build a rain garden
A rain garden is a special garden built to soak up about 30% more rainwater than a regular lawn.
Use surfaces that let water through
Special pavement (called "pervious pavement") lets rain soak into the ground instead of running off into the street.
Use less salt in winter
A little salt keeps sidewalks safe from ice — too much can hurt the fish and plants in our rivers.
Report blocked streams
See trash or branches blocking a creek or stream? Tell MWRD's crew so they can clear it.
Tell your town about flooding
Your city or village takes care of the small sewer pipes on your street — let them know if you see flooding nearby.
Don't litter
Trash that blows into the street can end up in a river. Every piece you pick up helps keep our water clean!
Plant a tree
One medium-sized oak tree soaks up about 2,800 gallons of rain every single year — that’s a lot of water!
Save water
Take shorter showers, and only run the dishwasher or washing machine when it's completely full.
Only flush the 3 P's
Only flush pee, poo, and (toilet) paper. Everything else — even "flushable" wipes — can clog pipes and cause backups.
Want the official, full-detail version of this guide? MWRD has more information on their site.