This is my Hometown.

The water started flowing in, in late November...
I could smell a slight trace of sewage as I drove Ridge Road, dividing the quarry lobes and cemetery, into town. (They closed Brown Derby Road, permanently, a few months back.)

Thornton Reservoir project to provide flood relief to S. Side
By Paul Meincke
Tuesday, September 01, 2015
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Flood relief became a reality Tuesday for residents on Chicago's South Side and more than a dozen southern suburbs with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Thornton Reservoir project.

The Thornton Quarry, the baby Grand Canyon, when filled will hold eight billion gallons of storm water and sewer back-up. It's been in the works for decades.

Tuesday, the politicians came and the ribbon was cut.

Behind the ribbon, well within the tunnel are gates that will regulate the flow of storm water - flood-water, often laced with foul sewage, that sometimes winds up in south suburban basements after heavy rains. Filling the quarry is meant to lessen that misery.

"This is one component in what I see as a toolbox to help people combat flooding," said Mariyana Spyropoulos, MWRD president.

A lot of the water will not smell very nice. So the question is, how do you minimize the odor?

Here is one answer. There are seven floating aerators that will sit atop the water while sending oxygen in and trapping the bad gas underneath.

"When you come here you might smell a faint odor when you come to the perimeter you shouldn't be able to smell anything," said Kevin Fitzpatrick, MWRD Project engineer.

There will always be some water in the bottom of the quarry. Occasionally it may get filled close to the brim. The gates in the tunnel open for real business in a couple weeks.

Pictures.

If you're interested in engineering, this article will give you an idea of the scope of the work undertaken in the Deep Tunnel multi-billion dollar project.