[jzk]

So it rained pretty hard the other night, and when that happens, the Chicago sewer system opens up into the Chicago River. And, then when the Chicago river gets too high, they open up these valves and let the river flow directly into DuSable Harbor. The Harbor turns brown and is filled with garbage. Then, it just sits for many days as there is no current or flow in or out of the harbor.

 

[capta]

I would contact the EPA. Federal trumps state or city in environmental cases.

 

[jzk]

This is a very common practice. I think it is worse in Milwaukee. If the EPA doesn't already know about it, then they are a very special kind of government agency.

 

[RichH]

Federal trumps state or city in environmental cases.

Not in actual practice it doesnt. Its called 'sovereign immunity' and ALL the big cities do this while diverting the federal funds appropriated for such upgrade, maintenance and clean-up. "No one can sue city hall".
Also happened in this manner for diverting federal funding to improve the levees in New Orleans "pre-Katrina".

Producing large voter turn-out always trumps even federal laws.

 

[killarney_sailor]

I agree with Rich. Building new sewer systems is not a sexy issue to run for election (re-election) on.

 

[tomandchris]

The infrastructure of most major cities, states, hell...the whole country, is a mess. Chicago is better than many, but too much rain will always flood the system. I am not aware of any major coastal city that does not have this problem.

Clothes pin, or go sailing!

 

[christian.hess]

start a grass roots phenomenon by having like minded people PEE into that water, take pictures and spread the word...

make a slogan saying "my pee is cleaner than this water..." with a sarcastic cartoon or picture

if you have a problem with that sue me!

sign petitions, protest, etc...

if not go sailing

 

[Minnesail]

The more I read the happier I am to live in Minneapolis. Our metro area has worked hard over the last couple decades to separate the storm and sanitary sewers, and we did it. A couple weeks ago we got over 4" of rain in less than 24 hours and our sewer systems passed with flying colors. Some of the smaller towns outlying the metro did get overloaded and had to dump raw sewage (sorry Lake Minnetonka) and I believe they'll have to pay the appropriate fines.

Some people gripe that our Metropolitan Council is too distant from the people, since they're appointed rather than elected. But I think maybe that distance allows them to work on long-term projects, rather that whatever will get them through the next election.

Now if we could just get our roads fixed...

 

[svHyLyte]

So it rained pretty hard the other night, and when that happens, the Chicago sewer system opens up into the Chicago River. And, then when the Chicago river gets too high, they open up these valves and let the river flow directly into DuSable Harbor. The Harbor turns brown and is filled with garbage. Then, it just sits for many days as there is no current or flow in or out of the harbor.

All of that may be true but, for you, please ensure your head's through hull is closed and the holding tank operational. The Lake is a "No Discharge Zone" and if you violate the rules on that the Michigan DEP will be on you like stink on Manurer. Remember, you "ain't" City Hall, you don't get the same dispensations.

 

[tommays]

Its real simple we went cheep with one pipe for sewage and rain water when it was decided we need to treat the rainwater

Northport still has and OPEN street storm-drain outlet pipe without even rudimentary screening

 

[jzk]

I am not sure that Michigan has jurisdiction over here in Chicago. But thanks for the tip.

So it rained pretty hard the other night, and when that happens, the Chicago sewer system opens up into the Chicago River. And, then when the Chicago river gets too high, they open up these valves and let the river flow directly into DuSable Harbor. The Harbor turns brown and is filled with garbage. Then, it just sits for many days as there is no current or flow in or out of the harbor.

All of that may be true but, for you, please ensure your head's through hull is closed and the holding tank operational. The Lake is a "No Discharge Zone" and if you violate the rules on that the Michigan DEP will be on you like stink on Manurer. Remember, you "ain't" City Hall, you don't get the same dispensations.

 

[captflood]

GREETINGS EARTHLINGS, Soveringn imunity then why all the parties over 4th July you are indpendent the soveign is over in London ??? AS ALWAYS GO SAFE

 

[killarney_sailor]

Something new in southern Ontario within the last ten years are the construction of storm water management ponds. These are particularly helpful in older areas of cities that may not have totally separate storm and sanitary sewer lines. In some older parts of Toronto for example they built one pipe with two channels and if there is a severe rain the storm water combines with the sewer water. Some of the combined liquid ends up in these ponds where it is released gradually into the lake (I guess some of the sewage also breaks up in the ponds naturally). They have working steadily for decades to isolate the two systems but it is dreadfully expensive and I think it was something like a 30 year plan. Anyway, things are definitely improving but it is slow.

 

[jzk]

It is quite understandable that they want to keep sewage and storm water from backing up into people's basements. It is just not pleasant. At a minimum, when the river goes down, they should open the gates to let the water flow out of the marina into the river again. Instead it just sits there for days. Geese come and start eating all the sewage and garbage.

 

[svHyLyte]

Why would anyone combine a storm drain with a septic/sewerage drain? That's a sure formula for disaster. Storm drains should run to collection ponds/settling basins where the run-off can be controlled/metered, and the flotsam/debris skimmed off with skimmer screens for disposal at a land fill. Good lord, what a disgusting place...

 

[Minnesail]

A lot of sewer systems are well over a hundred years old. Back then they just lumped it all together. Separating the storm water and sanitary sewers can be quite a task, and in places where the separation isn't finished when the storm water sewers overflow, they overflow into the sanitary sewers. Then they're stuck with the option of letting it back up into peoples basements, or dumping raw sewage into the lakes/oceans/whatever.

Had we built separate sewers from the start it wouldn't be an issue. It's a simple fix to build new sewers, but it's also an expensive fix and nobody wants to spend money.