Chicago-area residents are being asked to use less water to avoid overflowing the region’s stormwater management systems.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District issued an “Overflow Action Day” alert Monday evening, with several rounds of strong to severe storms expected to dump heavy rain on the region.
According to the alert, residents are asked to delay taking showers or baths, flush toilets less frequently and wait to use dishwashers, washing machines and other high-consumption appliances. of water.
Residents are also asked not to water their lawns or flowers as storms approach.
Overflow Action Alerts are used by the MWRD in advance of storms, which can cause excess water in Chicago-area sewer systems. If too much water enters these systems at one time, it could potentially require the release of untreated or only partially treated wastewater into the Chicago River or Lake Michigan in extreme circumstances.
Water can also back up into basements or onto city streets if sewer systems overflow, officials say.
The first in a series of storms is expected to hit the Chicago area Monday evening. More storms could develop Tuesday morning, with a “slight” risk of severe weather in the Chicago area. A third round of storms could hit Tuesday evening, with heavy rain possible in all three weather sets.
Stay tuned to the NBC Chicago Storm team for all the latest information.
NBC Chicago
