Thornton Reservoir project to provide flood relief to S. Side

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, that 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.