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Welcome to the Village of Elm Grove Flood Management Plan web page!  

Since March of 2004, the collaboration of Village residents, elected officials and staff from various federal, state and local agencies has coalesced into a long term solution to flood-related problems that impact the residential and commercial communities within the Village. 

The intent of this web page is to provide residents, business owners, concerned citizens and the general public with relevant, timely and significant information regarding the Village’s flood management plan.  For some time the Village has provided information related to the planning and development phases of the project.  Now that project implementation is underway, the Village finds it necessary to expand the scope of the web page to address not only past accomplishments, but also current progress and future opportunities.

POINTS OF REFERENCE General Floodplain Property Information   - updated 10-07-2005 Floodplain Maps - updated 1-26-2010 Sewer Backup General Information - updated 6-17-2008

09-05-5085P Cover Letter (451KB PDF document)   1-11-2010 09-05-5085P Determination Document with Attachments (6MB PDF document)   1-11-2010   General Floodplain Property Information  For many people, the concept of a floodplain may be difficult to understand.  It is the intent of this web page to provide homeowners, lenders, real estate agents and others with helpful information to assist them when working with properties within the floodplain. Click here to view the Village’s flood brochure.  This brochure is available at Village Hall during normal business hours. Village Flood Brochure General information related to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can be found on the following website: http://www.fema.gov/nfip/whonfip.shtm  The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) website provides additional information on important program facts under these general categories: Lenders: http://www.fema.gov/nfip/l_10.shtm  Consumers: http://www.fema.gov/nfip/c_10.shtm#a  Insurance Agents: http://www.fema.gov/nfip/a_10.shtm  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides documentation on frequently asked questions and also allows users to e-mail in their questions.  Please visit the following web address for more information: http://www.fema.gov/nfip/ask.shtm

Floodplain Maps     2-24-2010

Over the last few years, the Village of Elm Grove has initiated several flood mitigation projects in an effort to reduce the risk of flooding and improve flood risk awareness and preparedness in the Village.  Through these efforts, the Village of Elm Grove has increased the beauty and usability of Village Park and reduced flood insurance premiums for individual property owners by qualifying as a class 6 Certified Rating System (CRS) community through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

The new map (first remap) will become effective for insurance purposes on November 19, 2008.  

New Floodplain Map Adoption Timeline:

• Plan Commission*    June 24, 2008  7:00PM   Public Hearing, Review and Recommendation

• Board of Trustees*  June 24, 2008  7:30PM   Review and Adoption      

• WDNR & FEMA   anticipated by July 31, 2008  Administrative Review and Approval of Adopted Ordinance

*Meetings are open to the public and held in the Courtroom at Village Hall (13600 Juneau Blvd).  

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the adoption of the new floodplain or the impact it will have on your property, please stop by Village Hall (3600 Juneau Boulevard) from 8AM – 4:30PM, Monday – Friday or call the Zoning and Planning Administrator at (262) 782-6700.

Click on the images below to enlarge the view.  Use the "Back" button to return to this page.

1982 Floodplain Map

Floodplain indicated by purple shading.

2008 SEWRPC Floodplain Map

Floodplain indicated by
blue hash marks.

  Legend for the above referenced map

  2010 FEMA Floodplain and Floodway Map - LOMR 2/2010  (4.2MB PDF document)   2-24-2010

  2010 FEMA Floodplain and Floodway Map - No Aerial View - LOMR 2/2010 (1.2MB PDF document)  2-24-2010

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INFORMATION FOR HOMEOWNERS & RESIDENTS

Waukesha County Emergency Assistance Program (EAP)    4-01-2010 

Residential Flood Damage Assistance

Waukesha County Community Development has received a $2,095,000 grant through the State Department of commerce to assist residential households affected by the flooding in Waukesha County which occurred in June, 2008.

Owner occupied low and moderate income households may receive a grant for: 1) repairing damages to their property, 2) reimbursements for insurance deductibles or non reimbursed FEMA claims, 3) the cost of repairs previously completed caused by the flooding.  NO PERSONAL PROPERTY LOSSES CAN BE REIMBURSED.

A home inspection, documentation, and meeting program eligibility is required.  Program funds will be awarded on a first come basis until funds are disbursed.

To obtain an application or additional program information, please call the EAP at 262-896-8169 or e-mail lrutzinski@waukeshacounty.gov .

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FACTS ABOUT SEWER BACKUP INCIDENTS

Downloads

Facts About Sewer Backup Incidents         Coping with a Sewer Backup handout

Sewer backups are an unfortunate but common problem in U.S. cities and towns. Although municipal departments make every effort to prevent such incidents, they still may occur.  The following information is offered to help property owners and residents understand why backups happen, how they can be prevented, and what steps citizens should take if a sewer backup affects their property.  The following questions and answers may be helpful:

What causes a sewer backup?

Sanitary sewer overflows can be caused by a number of factors.  They usually involve sewer pipe blockages in either main sewer lines or service laterals (lines between buildings and the main line).  Causes may include pipe breaks or cracks due to tree roots, system deterioration, insufficient system capacity due to residential or commercial growth, or construction mishaps.  In home and office plumbing systems, the main cause is accumulation of grease, tree roots, hair, or solid materials, such as disposable diapers or sanitary napkins that are too large for wastewater pipes to handle.  Such materials may cause major backups in Village lines as well as in residents’ lateral lines.  A frequent cause of water stoppages within the Village’s system, however, is vandalism.  Leaves, sticks, rocks, bricks and trash have been found stuffed down manholes. We hope you will report observations of any such activity.

How could a sewer backup affect me?

If the backup occurs in a Village maintained line, the wastewater will normally overflow out of the lowest possible opening, which is usually a manhole.  However, in some homes—especially those with basements, or where the lowest level is even with the sewer lines—the overflowing wastewater may exit through the home’s lower drains and toilets.

What should I do if sewage backs up into my home?

First, take action to protect people and valuable property:

• Keeping in mind that ceramic plumbing fixtures such as toilets are fragile, quickly close all drain openings with stoppers or plugs.  
  Tub, sink, and floor drains may need additional weight to keep them sealed.  A string mop can be used to help plug toilet openings.

• Don’t run any water down your drains until the blockage has been cleared. 

• A quick check with nearby neighbors will help determine if the backup appears to be in your neighbor’s wastewater line, and/or 
  widespread in your neighborhood.  In this case, call the Department of Public Works immediately.  Numbers are listed at the end of this flyer.

• Call a plumber if the problem is in your lateral service line.

If I call the Village, what will they do about a sewer backup onto my property?

• You will be asked questions about the backup timing, location, the property at risk, etc. 

• Village personnel will check for blockages in the main line. If found, the blockage will be immediately cleared.

• If the main line is not blocked, you will be advised to call a plumbing or sewer contractor to check your lateral line.  
  Maintenance and repair of the lateral line is the owner’s responsibility.   (See diagram below.)

• To minimize damage and negative health effects, you should arrange for cleanup of the property as soon as possible. 
  There are qualified businesses that specialize in this type of cleanup.

• If the sewer backup onto your property resulted from blockage in the main sewer line, Village personnel will explain what the 
  Village can immediately do to help take care of the problem.

Is there anything I can do to prevent sewage backup into my home?

• Avoid putting grease down your garbage disposal or household drain.  It can solidify, collect debris and accumulate in Village lines, or 
  build up in your own system.

• Never flush disposable diapers, sanitary napkins or paper towels down the toilet.  They could stop up your drains and may damage 
  your plumbing system.   

• If the lateral line in your older home has a jointed pipe system, consider whether the roots of large shrubs or trees near the line could
  invade and break pipes.  
  It is a good idea to know the location of your lateral line(s). Property maps can often be acquired from your Village planning department. 

• If the lowest level of your home is below ground level, such as a basement floor drain, it may one day be affected by a backup.  
  One way to prevent sewage backup through such below ground areas is to Install a “back-flow valve” on the lowest drain(s).  
  You can also use a plumber’s test plug to close these drains when not in use.  

• For further information about preventive measures, contact a plumber or plumbing supply dealer.

What does the municipality do to prevent this problem?

• Every attempt is made to prevent backups in the public wastewater system before they occur.  Sewer lines are specially 
  designed to prevent accumulation and stoppages.

• In addition, we have maintenance crews that are devoted to inspecting and cleaning wastewater lines throughout the 
  Village on a regular schedule.

• Degreasing chemicals are also injected into lines in areas that are prone to stoppages, such as those near restaurants, 
  apartments or high density housing developments. 

• Even with our maintenance schedule, however, backups are often beyond the Village’s control.  Most that do occur are 
  confined to the sewage pipeline, rather than backing up into a home.

Will my insurance cover any damage to my home or property?

In the majority of cases, a special rider will need to be added to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy to cover damages related to sewage 
backups or water damage.  This optional coverage is usually not very expensive, but you must usually request that it be added to your policy. 
Check with your insurance agent about this policy provision.

How and where should I report a sewer backup?

Emergency crews are on call 24 hours a day to assist you.  In an emergency such as a sewer line backup, or if you observe any vandalism associated 
with the wastewater or sewer lines, contact the Village at  the police non-emergency  number: 1-262-786-4141.

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Stormwater Utility 

The Village proposes to use a stormwater utility to fund the balance of the flood management project that cannot be supported through Tax Increment Financing (TIF).  Although a stormwater utility fee will appear on annual tax bills, it is a dedicated fee that can only be used to fund flood management and stormwater activities.

A stormwater utility is an organizational tool that provides for the planning and financing of the Village’s flood management plan. The stormwater utility has a separate fund to account and budget for these infrastructure improvements within the Village’s existing governmental structure. The stormwater utility is similar to a local sewer utility. More information can be found in the stormwater utility ordinance, which enables the Village to implement the stormwater utility concept. 

Stormwater utility fees are based on the share of stormwater runoff generated by each parcel of land within the Village. The fees are designed to charge customers of the stormwater utility in reasonable proportion to their actual contribution of runoff to the stormwater system. Charges for the stormwater utility are based on an “Equivalent Runoff Unit” (ERU), which is the amount of impervious surface on a typical residential parcel in the Village. Impervious areas are surface areas that do not allow stormwater to soak into the ground, which includes areas paved with concrete, asphalt and areas covered by buildings. In Elm Grove, an ERU is defined as 4,660 sq. ft.   

The fee structure of the utility provides equitable conditions for all property owners within the Village. Costs for the utility are shared based on use and contribution rather than property value. This method also requires that all tax-exempt properties contribute to the utility, as many of these properties are large contributors to stormwater runoff.  A service charge study, explaining the reason behind the stormwater utility, is available for review.  The Village’s contracted engineering firm, Ruekert and Mielke, prepared this study. 

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Last modified:  04/01/10

Village of Elm Grove      13600 Juneau Boulevard      Elm Grove     Wisconsin      53122      262-782-6700