Residents, businesses near Thornton Reservoir endure ‘very unpleasant’ stench after heavy rainfall

The Thornton Quarry has long been an interesting destination within Chicago’s south suburbs. However, this week the usual sights and smells have been replaced and Thornton Reservoir — sitting at nearly full capacity after weeks of heavy rainfall — continues to emit a foul odor to the area.

For Alex Ferreira, owner of Blades and Fades barbershop at 100 S. Williams St. in Thornton since 2010, the nearly full reservoir is something he’s never seen before.

“We’ve never seen it this full,” Ferreira told the Sun-Times as he finished up a trim on a man’s hair. “These rains are unheard of around here.”

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s Thornton Reservoir, part of the region’s Deep Tunnel flood-control system, reached 94% capacity this week after more than 8 inches of rain fell across the Chicago area over the past month. Officials said it marks the fullest the reservoir has been since opening in 2015.

Ferreira, 37, pointed out that the foul scent is not new. Clients often comment it when they visit the barbershop, he said, comparing it to “roadkill.” Luckily, even on hot summer days when it becomes especially strong, it has not affected business.

“I guess we’ve just learned to kind of live with it,” he said. “But it’s very unpleasant.”

As Nikki Kitakis sat at her desk at the Village Clerk’s office, she explained the quarry is simply part of everyday life for residents, many of whom come to her with complaints after heavy rain or when community events like youth baseball games are held outside.

Kitakis, 37, has lived in Thornton for most of her life and has never seen the reservoir reach its current level.

“As it’s raining, it smells horrific.” Kitakis said.

When the gripes come in, she directs them to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District because the agency owns and operates the reservoir.

“We’re not responsible and we don’t maintain the reservoir at all,” she said. “That’s all through MWRD.”

South suburban resident Christian Devine, 23, said the odor is something he has witnessed while driving through the area.

“The smell has been rancid and putrid sometimes,” Devine said.

Devine said the scent from the reservoir has not significantly impacted his daily life, but he believes residents should be aware of what is happening within their community, calling for officials at the MWRD to be more vocal.

“I would love for them to keep us updated on what is going on and not leave anyone in the dark,” Devine said. “I would like to be informed on what measures are being taken to protect the residents of the community and what we need to be prepared for.”

The MWRD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Thornton Reservoir is one of three reservoirs that make up the region’s Deep Tunnel system, a network of more than 100 miles of underground tunnels designed to capture stormwater and reduce flooding across Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Combined with the McCook Reservoir, the system is currently holding roughly 11 billion gallons of water after weeks of persistent rainfall.

According to MWRD, water stored in the Thornton Reservoir is pumped to the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant, where it is treated before being returned to local waterways.

With additional rain in the forecast, nearby residents and businesses say they hope the water filling the reservoir subsides soon.