Another APWA win for V3! Our work on the Country Club Highlands Drainage Improvements project has earned a 2026 APWA Chicago Metro Chapter (Suburban Branch) Public Works Project of the Year in the “Environment – Less Than $5 Million” category. This award celebrates public works projects that exemplify excellence in management, administration, and implementation, and we’re honored to be acknowledged. Learn more about how our work helped mitigate frequent and severe urban flooding in a residential area plagued by chronic flood damage.
Project Summary
The Country Club Highlands Drainage Improvement Project was undertaken to address chronic urban flooding problems in the residential County Club Highlands subdivision in unincorporated DuPage County, Illinois. The most severe flooding was near the intersection of Emroy Avenue and Victory Parkway which resulted in structural damage and emergency vehicle access limitations. The problem areas, characterized by pockets of depressional topography combined with aging and undersized storm sewer infrastructure with no stormwater storage, experienced both frequent and severe flooding events.
An initial drainage study and alternative analysis was conducted of the 92-acre watershed to understand the magnitude of the flooding and the project constraints associated with potential solutions. The evaluation also included a Benefit Cost Analysis for each alternative, which supported the project need. The initial analysis formed the foundation for a multi-phase flood mitigation strategy that focused on improving stormwater conveyance and storage capacity while preventing downstream impacts.
Forward-Thinking Solutions
The identified solution utilized a phased approach that initially included the design and installation of a 48-inch relief sewer that required coordination and easement acquisition from both residents and Illinois American Water. Since the new relief sewer outfall discharged to an Addison Creek Tributary, permitting through DuPage County and USACE was required.
The second phase of the project included the installation of 2,200 linear feet of new storm sewer and 1.3 acre-feet of underground stormwater storage located in a vault that spanned the full width of the street.
Construction sequencing was critical for both Phase I and Phase II since stormwater flow had to remain uninterrupted and multiple existing water and sanitary service lines needed to maintain functionality.
Throughout the project, utility services were maintained, and close coordination with county officials, residents, and property owners helped minimize disruptions and ensure smooth implementation. As a result, our flood mitigation improvements provided 100-year flood protection to residential structures that were historically at-risk, in addition to improved emergency vehicle access to the area.
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