Water damage & flooded basement help in Lake Forest, IL
The City of Lake Forest will send a team to look at why your home flooded. Here's how to reach them, plus the City's own prevention advice.
Call (847) 000-0000First-hour checklist(placeholder – not yet active)Who to call
- While flooding is happening: City Water & Sewer, (847) 810-3570.
- After hours: police non-emergency, (847) 234-2601. They'll notify Water & Sewer.
- Restoration help: (847) 000-0000, a free referral to an independent provider.
The Critical Response Team
Lake Forest formed a Critical Response Team that visits flooded homes, assesses the situation and advises on steps to prevent a recurrence. Schedule an assessment through Water & Sewer at (847) 810-3570, weekdays 6:30 am–3:00 pm. If your basement or yard floods repeatedly, the City also offers a free consultation.
Why it happens here
The City says that in many cases, rainfalls of two to three inches in an hour are simply more than the ground can absorb. Lake Forest's storm and sanitary sewers are separate systems, so stormwater getting into the sanitary side through roof drains, yard drains, uncapped lines or cracked laterals can push wastewater back into homes. The City approved an inflow & infiltration policy on January 21, 2020, and does smoke testing to find those leaks. Sanitary flows go to a treatment plant on Clavey Road operated by the North Shore district.
“Flushable” wipes
The City reports that flushable wipes have caused blockages in municipal sewer lines that backed up into dozens of homes across several neighborhoods. Put all wipes in the trash.
City prevention checklist
- Battery-powered backup sump pump
- Uncapped standpipe in the floor drain, where it fits
- Clear window-well drains; consider covers
- Extend splash-out downspouts away from the foundation
- Check valve against sanitary backflow
- Yearly sewer inspection or rodding
- Yard drain for persistent yard flooding
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Call (847) 000-0000(placeholder – not yet active)Frequently asked questions
Will Lake Forest inspect my flooded basement?
Who do I call after hours for flooding in Lake Forest?
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.