The East & West Branches of the DuPage River and Salt Creek are located in Northeastern Illinois, including portions of Cook, DuPage, and Will Counties.

In response to concerns about the East & West Branch DuPage River TMDLs and the Salt Creek TMDL, a local group of communities, POTWs, and environmental organizations have come together to better determine the stressors to the aquatic systems through a long term water quality monitoring program and develop and implement viable implementation projects to accurately address the stressors.

Because of the similarities of water quality issues, development patterns and multiple agency/organizational overlap this group will address both watersheds simultaneously.

Goal Statements

Long Term (2004-2019)

  • Develop and implement a dynamic plan that will achieve attainment of water quality standards and designated uses for Salt Creek, East Branch DuPage River and West Branch DuPage River.
    • Develop long-term viable management strategies that accurately address water quality problems identified by monitoring program.
    • Implement long-term management strategies.
    • Maintain long term monitoring.

Short Term (2004-2006)

  • Develop, approve and fund an organizational structure for the workgroup.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive monitoring program that will include chemical, physical and biological components that will accurately identify the quality of the river ecosystems as well as stressors associated with non-attainment of water quality standards and designated uses.
  • Develop and implement interim/short-term management strategies to address water quality issues.
  • Identify nonpoint source pollution issues and develop and implement short-term and long-term strategies to address these issues. (NPDES Phase II)

Work Items

  • Identify all available sources of data and programs addressing water quality issues in the watersheds.
  • Set up committee to work with IEPA on NPDES permit review and re-issues
  • Set up committee to work on monitoring program
  • Set up committee to work on short-term implementation strategies
  • Work through the DuPage County Water Quality Stakeholders committee to address NPDES Phase II/Nonpoint source pollution issues