Real-Time Data in Naperville, IL Enables Flood Monitoring & Improved Stormwater Management

Introduction In Naperville, staying informed about local weather and river conditions is crucial for municipal stakeholders and residents. When this data is combined and accessible, it can provide better insights in Flood Monitoring, Stormwater Management, and improve Emergency Response. The City of Naperville has created a dedicated website and customized monitoring dashboard that offers an innovative solution to help staff and residents stay prepared and make informed decisions. This case study explores how this user-friendly, publicly available resource benefits the community in correlation with remote monitoring and IoT systems. Understanding the Resources The Naperville Rainfall and Flood Monitoring website provides real-time information on rainfall and river levels in Naperville, connected through remote monitoring technology and with real-time data accessibility through an API service (ADS PRISM), and including publicly available data source. This website features easy-to-read charts and maps, ensuring residents can quickly grasp current conditions. By offering accessible data, Naperville aims to enhance public safety and improve quality of life for its residents. By leveraging an ESRI ArcGIS Hub, an easy-to-configure cloud platform that organizes people, data, and tools to accomplish initiatives and goals, users have access to a 14-Day rainfall summary chart, to review rainfall summary totals and offering accessibility to download the rainfall dataset directly. Additionally, users have access to a simplified River Gauge Height visualization tool, providing utility employees and residents the most recently recorded river height at the Jefferson Street Bridge at the DuPage River, which is displayed in feet above mean sea level. A simplified 'flood staging' chart is also available, showing historical and real-time river height and compared to various flood staging setpoints. Residents can expand these analytics by accessing a Monitoring Dashboard built with Microsoft Power BI, which provides enhanced visualization of rainfall, river height, influent wastewater flow meters tributary to the DuPage River. This monitoring dashboard can also be used to view historical data from the available monitoring site and to visualize rainfall and river height together. Benefits to Residents The website and monitoring dashboard provide numerous benefits to residents such as: 1.Enhanced Public Safety --Flood Awareness: Residents can monitor river levels to anticipate potential flooding. Early warnings allow families to take necessary precautions, protecting homes and belongings. --Travel Planning: Up-to-date rainfall data helps drivers avoid waterlogged roads, reducing the risk of accidents and travel delays. 2.Informed Decision-Making --Outdoor Activities: Whether planning a picnic, a hike, or a bike ride, knowing the latest weather conditions ensures outdoor activities are safe and enjoyable. --Gardening and Agriculture: Home gardeners and local farmers can use rainfall data to manage watering schedules, promoting healthy plant growth, and conserving water. --Proactive Utility Management: City staff can use this resource to be proactive and with understanding which areas of the City may be 'at risk' during large storm and rainfall events & especially in areas that could be impacted by rising river levels. 3.Community Engagement --Public Awareness: By providing accessible data, the website fosters a well-informed community that actively participates in local safety and sustainability initiatives. --Education: Schools and community groups can use the website as a teaching tool, helping students learn about weather patterns, environmental science, and civic responsibility. The Role of ADS Environmental Services ADS has assisted in this project by providing the backbone monitoring and IoT technology, offering data that makes the website a reliable resource. Their expertise in environmental monitoring and data analysis ensures that the information is accurate, timely, and easy to understand. By leveraging ADS's technology through a modern and accessible API, Naperville can offer its residents a customized and valuable tool for everyday decision-making and long-term planning, and community engagement. Conclusion Naperville's Rainfall and Flood Monitoring website is more than just a tool; it is a vital resource that enhances safety, supports informed decisions, and fosters community engagement in Naperville. By providing real-time, accessible information by ADS, the city empowers its residents to lead safer, more informed, and more connected lives. Additionally, this tool can be quickly and easily replicated by other utilities, using commonly available tools, APIs, and software resources that are likely already being leveraged by municipal owners and staff.