[Communications] MWRD FLOW - January 2021

[Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago]

 January 2021 | Issue 5 For the Love Of Water (FLOW) is a summary of news from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.  In this edition: MWRD installs three commissioners Board of Commissioners to meet January 7 and 21 at 10:30 a.m. MWRD President Kari K. Steele issues her Annual Message Understanding COVID-19 through wastewater: MWRD to participate in national sewage surveillance project MWRD accepting applications for voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Program, local stormwater partnership funding until March 12 Join us for a virtual tour on January 19 at 2 p.m. New storybook "Where Does It Go?" available for download or virtual readings 2021 Calendars available Go easy on the salt Report waterway blockages, suspicious dumping or odors to our hotline MWRD installs three commissioners On December 8, the MWRD installed three commissioners to six-year terms to govern the agency charged with protecting the region’s water environment and public health.   Returning Commissioners Cameron Davis and Kimberly Du Buclet were joined by newcomer Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda to serve on the nine–member Board responsible for providing financial oversight and establishing policies and procedures which meet the MWRD’s objective of protecting the water environment for the citizens of Cook County. Click here to read the story To watch the ceremony, visit https://bit.ly/3rNZ3x3. Board of Commissioners to meet January 7 and 21 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 January 7 and 21. 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. In the photo (top row, L-R): President Kari K. Steele, Vice President Barbara J. McGowan, and Acting Chairman of Finance Mariyana T. Spyropoulos. Second row, L-R: Commissioners Cameron Davis, Kimberly Du Buclet, and Marcelino Garcia. Third row, L-R: Commissioners Josina Morita, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, and Debra Shore. Click to access Board meetings MWRD President Kari K. Steele issues her Annual Message Each year, the President of the MWRD Board of Commissioners provides a year in review, and 2020 is no exception, although it was a most unusual year. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the MWRD maintained operations, continued to progress on projects and participated in sewage surveillance research to generate data for the pandemic. And with that, MWRD President Kari K. Steele is pleased to present her Annual Message for 2020. Please visit this link to read the message in its entirety. Understanding COVID-19 through wastewater: MWRD to participate in national sewage surveillance project Five MWRD water reclamation plants were accepted to participate in the first phase of a United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) nationwide sewage surveillance project to conduct SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) wastewater testing. Wastewater from treatment plants that serve 10 percent of the U.S. population will be tested.  The project, for which the HHS contracted to AquaVitas, will include sampling, analysis, and uploading analytical data twice per week for six weeks. The project will generate wastewater surveillance data for public health agencies to use at a national level. Click here to read the press release and fact sheet, and click the link to listen to the WBBM news story https://bit.ly/3hEPM5w. MWRD accepting applications for voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Program, local stormwater partnership funding until March 12, 2021 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. An optional training webinar to discuss the application process is set for Friday, January 22, 2021 at 2 p.m. Join the webinar on your computer or mobile app through Microsoft Teams at the link https://bit.ly/2LaVpw0 to join the webinar or call in (audio only) +1 872-242-7899,,304880994# Phone Conference ID: 304 880 994# 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.) Join us for a virtual tour on January 19 at 2 p.m.! 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. On January 19 at 2 p.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! Click to register for the January 19 tour New storybook "Where Does IT Go?" available for download and virtual readings "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), request a hard copy (one per family; supplies are limited) or schedule a virtual reading or 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. 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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