The meeting drew more than 200 experts, government leaders, and policy makers nationwide for discussions on flood management, stormwater innovation, and climate resilience.

The event was held at the Willow Springs Municipal Center and showcased the installation of approximately 62,760 square feet of permeable pavers along Willow Boulevard and Market Street.

Officials at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago issued an “overflow action alert” Wednesday morning ahead of the rainfall, asking residents to reduce water use to help prevent the sewer system from overflowing.

Under the alert, MWRD officials are asking residents to take steps to reduce their water usage during and after the storms in an effort to limit the amount of water that goes into sewer systems.

Reduce your use of water before, during and after rainstorms to reduce the amount of water in your municipal sewers.

Through the SEM program, MWRD staff worked with ComEd and Cascade Energy to assess hundreds of treatment operations at their respective plants.