Chicago is constructing two underground storage tanks, with a combined capacity of 1.7 million gallons of water, in partnership with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). This pilot project, costing $12 million, aims to mitigate severe flooding on the West Side, which devastated the community during the 2023 Independence Day holiday. The ‘wing storage’ units will hold water that would otherwise overwhelm the city’s sewers during intense rain events, providing additional time for drainage. MWRD is contributing up to $6 million to the project. The city’s Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) reservoirs were nearly maxed out following heavy rains from July 2-4, highlighting the need for additional stormwater management solutions.
Key Highlights:
- New Flood Defense: Two underground “wing storage” tanks with a total capacity of 1.7 million gallons are being built to combat West Side flooding.
- Investment: The pilot project represents a $12 million investment, with the MWRD contributing up to $6 million.
- Addressing Past Devastation: The initiative is a direct response to severe flooding that impacted the West Side during the 2023 Independence Day holiday.
- TARP Strain: The project aims to alleviate pressure on Chicago’s existing Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP), which neared capacity during recent heavy rains.
- Targeted Protection: The tanks are expected to provide flood protection to over 2,900 homes and businesses in the North and South Austin, West Garfield Park, and Galewood neighborhoods.
Underground Respite: Chicago’s Innovative Approach to Flood Control
Chicago is deploying a significant new defense against the persistent threat of West Side flooding with the construction of two advanced underground “wing storage” tanks. This $12 million pilot project, a crucial collaboration between the City of Chicago and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), is designed to manage stormwater more effectively and prevent a recurrence of the devastating floods that overwhelmed the community during the 2023 Independence Day holiday. The “wing storage” units will act as critical temporary holding areas for excess water during intense rainfall events, providing vital additional time for the city’s drainage systems to cope and preventing water from backing up into streets and basements.
The Need for a Deeper Solution
The severity of the flooding experienced between July 2 and July 4, 2023, underscored the limitations of existing infrastructure. The city’s extensive Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP), also known as the Deep Tunnel system, which boasts a total capacity of 17.5 billion gallons when complete, was pushed to its limits, reaching unprecedented levels. While TARP is functioning as designed, its near-capacity status highlighted the urgent need for supplementary stormwater management solutions to handle the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The MWRD, a key partner in wastewater treatment and stormwater management in Cook County since its establishment in 1889, is contributing up to $6 million to this $12 million pilot initiative.
Wing Storage: A Tactical Addition to Stormwater Management
The “Wing Storage” system introduces a novel approach to urban flood control. Unlike large-scale, above-ground infrastructure, these underground tanks are installed beneath side streets or alongside existing sewer lines. The first tank, located on Maypole Avenue between Cicero and Lavergne Avenues, is already completed. The second is currently under construction on LeMoyne Street between Luna and Lorel Avenues, with an expected completion date in the fall. Each of the “square tanks” can hold more than 6,000 gallons of water, and with over 200 such units being installed underground, they will collectively store nearly 1.7 million gallons of water. This innovative solution expands stormwater capacity without requiring extensive above-ground construction, a significant advantage in densely populated urban areas.
Protecting Chicago’s West Side Communities
This pilot program is specifically designed to benefit the West Side neighborhoods of North and South Austin, West Garfield Park, and Galewood. Upon completion and operational assessment over the next six to nine months, these new underground reservoirs are projected to provide enhanced flood protection for more than 2,900 homes, businesses, and other buildings across the 28th, 29th, and 37th wards. The initiative aligns with the city’s broader planning efforts to address the impacts of a changing climate, which is leading to more extreme weather events that disproportionately affect certain areas. The West Side, in particular, has borne the brunt of these flooding issues due to its aging sewer systems and increased impervious surfaces.
The Evolution of Chicago’s Flood Control Infrastructure
Chicago’s commitment to managing stormwater is exemplified by its long-term investment in projects like TARP. Approved in 1972 and with construction beginning in 1975, TARP was designed to mitigate flooding and water pollution by storing combined stormwater and sewage until it could be treated. The system comprises four tunnel systems totaling 110 miles of tunnels and multiple large reservoirs, including the Thornton Reservoir and McCook Reservoir, with a projected total capacity of 17.5 billion gallons upon full completion. While TARP has been instrumental in reducing combined sewer overflows (CSOs) by an average of 50 days per year since its initial operational phases, the increasing challenges posed by climate change necessitate further innovation. The “Wing Storage” project represents a tactical enhancement, working in conjunction with TARP to provide localized, immediate relief during severe weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the “Wing Storage” system?
A1: Wing Storage is a pilot program by the City of Chicago and MWRD that involves constructing underground tanks to temporarily hold excess stormwater during heavy rain events, preventing it from overwhelming sewer systems and causing flooding.
Q2: How much water can the new underground reservoirs hold?
A2: The two underground storage tanks have a combined capacity of 1.7 million gallons of water.
Q3: How does this project relate to Chicago’s TARP (Deep Tunnel) system?
A3: The Wing Storage project serves as a supplementary system to TARP. While TARP is a massive, system-wide solution, these local tanks provide immediate, localized relief by capturing water that would otherwise strain the main system during intense storms.
Q4: Which neighborhoods will benefit from this project?
A4: The West Side neighborhoods of North and South Austin, West Garfield Park, and Galewood are expected to receive enhanced flood protection.
Q5: What was the total cost of this pilot project?
A5: The pilot program represents a $12 million investment, with the MWRD contributing up to $6 million of the total cost.
