Resources
- U.S. Geological Survey
- DuPage Water Commission
- National Arbor Day Foundation
- DuPage County - Waste, Recycling, and Energy
- IDOT
- Illinois Tollway
- Republic Services (Refuse Pick Up)
- Elmhurst Stormwater Management
- Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies
- Central States Water Environment Association
- Fats, Oils and Grease Guidance Document
- DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup
- Elmhurst Stormwater Management Plan Website
Frozen Pipes
Generally, when a pipe which feeds a certain fixture such as a shower, sink, or toilet freezes, you will no longer be able to get water through that fixture. This would be the case if the pipe is frozen solid.
Some techniques for thawing frozen pipes include:
- Opening ceiling tiles if your home has a drop ceiling
- Using a heat gun (be extremely careful)
- Rubbing the pipes with warm damp rags
- Turning off the gas to your hot water heater
Some suggestions include:
- Keeping the water meter area or pipes exposed to outside walls heated
- Providing ventilation to pipes allowing warmer air to circulate around them
- Insulating your pipes
- Caulking and sealing any openings near your water pipes
- Keeping some tap water running
- In severe cases, it is best to turn your main valve off and drain your system by turning your sinks on
Protecting Basements from Sewer Backup
If you have experienced sewer backup in the past and would like more information on this program, please visit the Public Works counter in City Hall or call (630) 530-3020.
Studies have shown that, in addition to improvements to municipal systems, private property improvements are a cost-effective means of protecting homes from basement backup. The City provides the following assistance:
- $25,000 budget to assist homeowners with the cost of replacing gravity-type sewer systems with overhead sewers.
- Participation amounting to 50% of certain costs for the installation, to a maximum of $5,000.
Review the City's cost-sharing programs on Sewer Backup Protection here.
Diggers Beware / JULIE
To avoid damaging lines, state law requires you to call JULIE before any digging project, regardless of the project size or depth. Just call a helpful call center operator at JULIE, 8-1-1 or (800) 892-0123, and they'll alert their member utility companies of your plans to dig so they can come out and mark their underground lines at your site.
JULIE, Inc. is a not-for-profit message handling service for homeowners and contractors. JULIE operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The call is free and so are the services. JULIE neither owns nor marks any underground facilities.
Homeowner Guide
Homeowner Guide
Examples of homeowner projects include:
Follow these simple safety tips:
- Putting up a fence
- Installing a swing set
- Setting in a mail box post
- Digging for a pool, pond, or fountain
- Building a deck or room addition
- Preparing a new garden area
- Planting trees, bushes, or shrubs
Follow these simple safety tips:
- Call JULIE (800) 892-0123 before you dig
- Wait the required amount of time (two working days)
- Respect the marks
- Dig with care
Sump Pump Disconnect
To fix an illegal connection, view correct an illegal connection.
An illegal connection is a connection that permits extraneous storm-related water (water from sources other than sanitary fixtures and floor drains) to enter the sanitary sewer system. The extraneous storm-related water is water that should be going to the storm sewer or allowed to soak into the ground without entering the sanitary sewer.
Illegal connections include connections of downspouts, sump pumps, and area drains to the house sewer lines. In addition, defective house sewer lines cause extraneous water to enter the sanitary sewers and thus they are also illegal connections.
A sanitary sewer is a pipe located in the City right-of-way that is designed solely to transport wastewater from sanitary fixtures and floor drains inside your house or place of business to the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant. Sanitary sewers in your neighborhood are owned, operated, and maintained by the City of Elmhurst.
A storm sewer is a pipe located in the City right-of-way that is designed to carry storm-related water runoff. Storm sewers are normally much larger than sanitary sewers because they are designed to carry much larger amounts of flow. Storm sewers are owned, operated, and maintained by the City of Elmhurst.