Have a plan to curb flooding? The MWRD is now accepting applications for stormwater partnerships from local governments

Maywood GI Alley Improvements — A green alley in Maywood can contain stormwater and slow runoff from pooling in the alley and yards. More green alleys are surfacing thanks to the MWRD’s Green Infrastructure Partnership Program. If a community has a project in mind to manage stormwater, the MWRD wants to hear about it.

After another summer of intense and unpredictable storms, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) is inviting communities and government entities across Cook County to pitch their project plans to help mitigate flooding and manage stormwater through a variety of programs funded by the MWRD.

Each year, the MWRD accepts applications for a range of stormwater management projects that include local infrastructure upgrades, green infrastructure installations, conceptual projects that offer technical assistance, and a voluntary flood-prone property acquisition program that aids communities in purchasing properties that repeatedly flood. Read more information.

Pre-applications are now being accepted through December 2025 through four MWRD programs. Local governments and public agencies in Cook County can apply to the MWRD for help with funding the stormwater projects. The four partnership programs below are offered on a regular basis. Click on a program below to apply.

Stormwater Partnership Program helps fund the construction of traditional engineering solutions to flooding such as detention basins, storm sewer improvements, and stream channel improvements.

Western Springs' Springdale Park — In Western Springs’ Springdale Park, the MWRD is helping fund construction on a supplemental storm sewer system and storage basin that is expected to mitigate flooding in the area through the MWRD’s Stormwater Partnership Program. The project benefits approximately 20 homes and two local roads by providing adequate drainage to depressional areas of the neighborhood and detention for excess stormwater runoff.

Green Infrastructure Partnership Program helps fund the construction of green alleys, rain gardens, permeable paving, and other natural, permeable systems that manage rainwater where it falls.

Willow Springs new permeable paver parking lot — Native plants and permeable pavers line the streets of Willow Springs where the MWRD helped fund the Town Center Green Infrastructure Improvements that now provide more than 1 million gallons of stormwater storage capacity. The project was made possible through the MWRD’s Green Infrastructure Partnership Program.

Conceptual Project Partnerships are available to local government organizations requiring assistance developing stormwater solutions, coordinating stormwater mitigation efforts, and identifying state and federal grant opportunities.

Robbins Park — The Robbins Heritage Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration Project was initially a conceptual project that gathered momentum after MWRD engineers devised ways to address flooding along Midlothian Creek in Robbins. The project established naturalized detention along the creek and connected it through a diversion channel to the Cal-Sag Channel. It will reduce flood damage for close to 100 homes, businesses and other buildings in the area.

Voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Program provides funding to help municipalities acquire properties in the flood plain and give homeowners the opportunity for a fresh start.

Lyons Flood Prone Properties — The Village of Lyons is leading the acquisition and demolition of up to 26 homes in the floodway and floodplain with funding support from the MWRD. The MWRD's voluntary Flood Prone Property Acquisition program rescues homeowners who cannot sell homes that repeatedly flood and returns the land to passive spaces that can absorb more stormwater.

Since receiving authority to partner on local projects, the MWRD has more than 280 active or completed stormwater management projects throughout Cook County working to protect about 19,000 homes, businesses, buildings and other structures. These partnership projects range from huge flood mitigation reservoirs to smaller scale neighborhood green infrastructure projects.

Press Release

Awards and Announcements, Stormwater