2015 Summer
Water Quality:
Water is the foundation for everything we do throughout life. It is of course needed for human existence but also used for recreation and economic development. However, not much of the water on the Earth is fit for consumption. Ninety seven percent of the Earth’s water is salt water, while the rest is frozen in glaciers or polluted. In fact, 780 million people or one in nine, lack access to clean water. We are fortunate to live near the Great Lakes, which is the largest group of fresh water lakes on the planet and represent 84% of North America’s surface fresh water. Urban runoff is threatening these bodies of fresh water and public awareness need to be present.
Stormwater and urban runoff pollution comes from neighborhood streets, ditches, storm sewers construction sites and parking lots. This runoff contains pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers from landscaped lawns and gardens, improper disposal of used oil and engine fluids into open lid manholes and soil erosion from construction sites. Your support as residents of the community is essential to improve our water quality. Proper maintenance, responsible use of fertilizers and correct waste disposal are just a few solutions to keep our creeks and streams clean. We must to do our part together to improve the water quality of our creeks and streams so we may continue living in a healthy ecosystem.
Storm Cleanup:
During the summer months, we typically experience a couple strong storms with winds that cause downed trees. After these powerful storms pass and roadways have been cleared, Palatine Township road crews are dispatched to clean-up and collect storm damage from private properties. If you live in the INCORPORATED areas of Palatine, Inverness or Rolling Meadows, call your municipality as they will schedule a pick up based on the extent of damage. If you experience a downed tree due to a storm event and live in the UNICORPORATED area, please call 847.358.6336 to schedule a pickup. We will only collect storm damage if the debris has been placed with branch or cut side facing the edge of the street. If you have small brush or branches, please tie them with twine in bundles 4 ft. or less in length and 2 ft. or less in diameter. By doing so, they will be more manageable for disposal and we will be able to assist your neighbors more effectively and efficiently.
Storm Sewer Installation:
Stormwater drainage is a key component to the design, function and longevity of the roadway pavement. In order to protect our roadway it is necessary to have the correct drainage. Premature failure of the asphalt pavement and granular subbase may occur if stormwater is not transferred away from the roadway. There are several ways to handle this drainage, however the two most recognizable are curb and gutter designs or open ditches with cross culverts. Inlets, catch basins and manholes, are used in both cases to collect and transfer stormwater to sewers, which carry it away from the roadway. Sewers then properly discharge the stormwater to receiving areas such as ponds, wetlands or creeks. At Palatine Township Road District we carefully install and maintain curb and gutter systems, storm sewers, open ditches as well as any cross culverts under driveways and roadways. Therefore, if any standing stormwater is noticed please contact us and we will investigate to ensure proper drainage is met.
