[Communications] MWRD FLOW - February 2021

Wed Feb 3 11:31:09 CST 2021

 February 2021 | Issue 6 For the Love Of Water (FLOW) is a summary of news from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.  In this edition: MWRD celebrates African American History Month Board of Commissioners to meet February 4 at 10:30 a.m. MWRD accepting applications for voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Program, local stormwater partnership funding until March 12 MWRD funds 16 local green infrastructure projects to enhance public spaces MWRD to host webinar for stormwater program on February 26 at 11 a.m. Join us for a virtual tour on February 19 at 10 a.m. "Where Does It Go?" is available for download or virtual readings 2021 calendars available Partnership Highlight: Communities in Schools Sweep up leftover salt Spring is coming; Rain barrels are available for purchase Report waterway blockages, suspicious dumping or odors to our hotline MWRD Celebrates African American History Month MWRD President Kari K. Steele, Vice President Barbara McGowan, and MWRD Commissioners Kimberly Du Buclet, Cameron Davis, Eira Corral Sepúlveda and Mariyana Spyropoulos raised the African American Flag for the second year in a row on Feb. 1. If you missed it or would like to check out our daily historical presentation this month, please visit our website at https://mwrd.org/african-american-heritage-month-2021 Board of Commissioners to meet February 4 at 10:30 a.m. Due to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Disaster Declaration and pursuant to Public Act 101-0640, the MWRD will hold its Board of Commissioners’ Regular Board Meeting by video conference at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday February 4. The MWRD Board Room and building will remain closed to protect the health and safety of the public and staff; only essential personnel will be allowed entry. To view the meeting and public hearing and to comment, visit https://mwrd.legistar.com/calendar.aspx. Public comments may be made during the public comment period by calling (312) 751-3299. Comments may also be made by registering under the eComment link during the live meeting. Electronic comments will not be read during the meeting but will be provided to the Board electronically. If you would like to view the live stream of the meeting, click the "In Progress" link under the Video Column. The "In Progress" link will only be active when there is a meeting in session. Top row, L-R: President Kari K. Steele, Vice President Barbara J. McGowan, and Chairman of Finance Marcelino Garcia Second row, L-R: Commissioners Cameron Davis, Kimberly Du Buclet, and Josina Morita Third row, L-R: Commissioners Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Debra Shore and Mariyana T. Spyropoulos. Click to access Board meetings MWRD accepting applications for voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Program, local stormwater partnership funding until March 12 The MWRD is seeking project applications from local government organizations within the MWRD’s corporate boundaries to address flooding and drainage problems through the MWRD’s voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Program and Local Stormwater Partnership Program.  Read the press release at https://bit.ly/38aStc4. (In the photo: The MWRD partnered with the Village of Wheeling and Wheeling Park District to develop stormwater storage at the park and recreation center.) MWRD funds 16 local green infrastructure projects to enhance public spaces The MWRD selected 16 green infrastructure projects to provide support and funding across Cook County in 2021 to help mitigate flooding, protect area water quality and improve public spaces. Following a call for submissions last summer and a detailed review process, the MWRD has selected projects represented by 14 different municipalities and two projects with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County to receive funds to help implement different green infrastructure solutions. These projects include permeable streets, intersections, parking lots and alleys that offer an innovative way to soak up more water and prevent it from overwhelming local sewers, basements, waterways and streets throughout Cook County. Combined, these 16 projects will mitigate flooding for 1,673 structures and provide the capacity to retain 1.58 million gallons of water per rain event. MWRD evaluated 32 proposals, ranking the eligible projects based on factors, such as the total retention gallons and cost per gallon, number of benefiting structures and cost per structure, median income of the community, project visibility and outreach, flooding prevalence, maintenance capability, and separate or combined sewer area that caters to both sanitary and stormwater. Applicants whose projects were not selected are still eligible to apply for future consideration under MWRD’s Green Infrastructure Program. Green infrastructure mimics the natural environment by capturing water and allowing it to infiltrate into the ground before it enters the traditional conveyance system. This helps to reduce the amount of water flowing through the gray infrastructure of pipes that can be overwhelmed by intense rain events. These projects can also reduce wet weather flows to combined sewer systems, reduce combined sewer overflows to local waterways, and protect water quality in these vital waterways. Green infrastructure also reduces runoff volumes and improves water quality in separate sewer service areas. In addition, green infrastructure can make public spaces more attractive and provide social benefits that enhance the livability of communities. The MWRD intends to provide partial funding towards the construction of the selected green infrastructure installations on public property. Project partners will be expected to provide long-term operation and maintenance of the installed green infrastructure practices. Read more about it here. Join us for a virtual tour on Fri., February 19 at 10 a.m. On Friday, February 19 at 10 a.m., travel back in time to early Chicago to witness how we accomplished this herculean task, go inside the Deep Tunnel and learn more about what happens after the flush. In the late 1800s there was a sense of urgency creating a sanitary district due to a booming population, the fear of waterborne illness, the quality of the drinking water supply in Lake Michigan and a contaminated river. In 1889, the Sanitary District (now MWRD) was established and its first assignment was clear: reverse the flow of the Chicago River. Click to register for the February 19 tour "Where Does IT Go?"  New storybook available for download and virtual presentations "Where Does IT Go?" tells the story of three young water explorers who travel in a magical ship through MWRD pipes, sewers and tanks that are used to clean dirty water. Suitable for fourth grade and up. Download a copy from our website in English, Spanish or Polish at https://mwrd.org/k-12 (click the Activities tab). Cook County residents may request a hard copy (one per household; supplies are limited) or schedule a virtual presentation for your classroom, youth group or community group by emailing communityeducation at mwrd.org. Find other learning materials for students (K-12): mwrd.org/k-12 and adults: mwrd.org/education/publications. View these educational videos via our MWRD YouTube channel: Terrence J. O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant video tour https://youtu.be/oJ4IbCBf7g0 MWRD Sustainability Summit 2020 https://youtu.be/o-8JbD1l3lw How To Install A Rain Barrel https://youtu.be/ZKD3bqIItpE 2021 Calendars available Every year the MWRD Office of Public Affairs creates and distributes an annual wall calendar that features photos taken by staff and historical facts related to the MWRD's history. This year we are making these calendars available online; just download and print at this link 2021 Calendar. If you would like to request a complimentary hard copy, please contact public.affairs at mwrd.org. Available while supplies last. Limit one per household. Partnership Highlight: Communities in Schools The MWRD is a proud partner of Communities In Schools of Chicago (CIS of Chicago), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting high school graduation in the city. Through participation in community events, classroom presentations, and ongoing CIS training, the MWRD community education team is committed to inspiring Chicagoland students to reach for success. If you are interested in the MWRD connecting with your students and community via our virtual programming opportunities that promote protecting the water environment and introducing careers in water, please email communityeducation at mwrd.org. Spring is coming; Rain Barrels are available for purchase Rain barrels manage stormwater while promoting water conservation. The use of rain barrels is an environmentally friendly way to help with the fight against flooding. Collected rainwater can be used to water lawns, plants, and gardens as well as to wash cars, work boots, tools, etc. You can find an installation video on our website. Also visit our webpage “Flood Prevention 101” to learn more about strategies for flood prevention on your property. Rain Barrels are available to Cook County residents at a cost of $45.78 through our website. They hold 55 gallons of stormwater and measure 24” wide by 36” tall. The barrel includes a flexible connecting elbow to attach your barrel to your downspout, a linking hose to connect it to a second barrel, detailed instructions, and free delivery to your home. Report waterway blockages, suspicious dumping or odors to our hotline Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago | mwrd.org ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago | 100 E. 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