Water damage & flooded basement help in Wilmette, IL

In Wilmette, which side of Ridge Road you live on changes how your sewers work and why your street or basement floods.

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Two sewer systems

	East of Ridge Road	West of Ridge Road
System	Combined sewer: one pipe carries stormwater and wastewater	Separate sanitary and storm sewers
Street water	Standing water may be by design. Street berms and inlet restrictors store runoff in the street to protect basements.	Water over catch basins usually means a blocked inlet. Report it, or clear debris from the grate if safe.

During big storms, combined flows that exceed capacity go to MWRD's Tunnel and Reservoir Project, and anything beyond that overflows to the North Shore Channel. Large combined relief sewers add capacity on the east side.

Who to call

Report a sewer backup or flooding: submit a service request or contact Wilmette Public Works. The Village uses backup reports to find where the system is still susceptible.
Restoration help: (847) 000-0000, a free referral to an independent provider.

Your lateral is your responsibility

Under the Village Code, property owners maintain their sewer lateral up to and including the connection to the main. The Village recommends regular cleaning and televising to catch roots and broken sections.

Village programs

Stormwater Incentive Program: a one-time reimbursement of 50% of construction cost, up to $5,000, for disconnecting sump pumps, downspouts, yard drains and other clean-water sources from Village sewers. Up to $3,500 is available for rain gardens, dry wells, cisterns and permeable pavers. The 2026 budget is $40,000, first-come first-served, with a wait-list after that. A permit is required before work starts.
Resident assistance programs: fixed-rate sewer lateral televising and independent residential flood assessments through listed contractors. The assessment looks at the flooding source, whether you're on combined or separate sewers, sump sizing and backup power, cross-connections and seepage.

Also useful

Other towns

Need a restoration provider now?

One free call connects you with an independent local water damage provider. This site is a referral service, not a contractor.

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Frequently asked questions

Why does my street flood east of Ridge Road in Wilmette?

In the combined sewer area, street berms and inlet restrictors deliberately store stormwater in the street and release it slowly to reduce basement backups. If it seems excessive, contact Public Works.

Does Wilmette reimburse sump pump disconnections?

Yes. The Stormwater Incentive Program reimburses 50% up to $5,000 for disconnecting clean-water sources like sump pumps from Village sewers, subject to the annual budget.

Sources

Local facts on this page come from these public sources. Programs, amounts and phone numbers change — confirm with the agency before relying on them.