[Communications] MWRD Commissioner Du Buclet January Newsletter

[Kimberly Neely Du Buclet]

View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/2e9559c0bb8a/commissioner-kimberly-neely-du-buclets-monthly-newsletter-4147077?e=c4ca39f2f7)
Next Regular Board Meeting on Thursday February 4th at 10:30 am
The Board of Commissioners will hold its Regular Board Meeting on Thursday February 4th at 10:30 am by video conference. This is due to the Governor's Stay at Home Order and to protect health and safety of the staff and public.  Meeting will be lived streamed and public participation is still encouraged during video meetings.

Visit mwrd.org to to see the meeting agenda and live stream viewing instructions.  Comments can be submitted on-line or by calling (312) 751-3299, Bridge ID: 4162020# during the meeting.  Look forward to hearing from you virtually at the next MWRD Board meeting!

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MWRD 2ND ANNUAL
BLACK FLAG RAISING CEREMONY
** (https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ginxi49-Q62aboZiPCaGXA?fbclid=IwAR3CDMO98FNTURLdFWzhQEMtBvuA49khm5Ikxxma1On_-VXsqJcPZTqRXdk)
On February 1st at 10am as a kickoff and in honor of Black History Month the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago will again be raising the Black Flag in a ceremony at the District's Main Office Building at 100 East Erie, Chicago.

For more details about this event please click of the following link
** MWRD's Black Flag Raising Ceremony (https://mwrd.org/mwrd-celebrate-african-american-history-month-2nd-annual-flag-raising-ceremony)
MWRD "M/WBE" Disparity Study Session
** (https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ginxi49-Q62aboZiPCaGXA?fbclid=IwAR3CDMO98FNTURLdFWzhQEMtBvuA49khm5Ikxxma1On_-VXsqJcPZTqRXdk)
For more information about this study session please click of the following link ** MWRD's Disparity Study Session (http://mwrd.disparity-study.com/)

To register for this study session please click of the following link ** Register Here (https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ginxi49-Q62aboZiPCaGXA?fbclid=IwAR3CDMO98FNTURLdFWzhQEMtBvuA49khm5Ikxxma1On_-VXsqJcPZTqRXdk)
Resolution recognizing Martin Luther King's Birthday
MWRD's Board of Commissioners approves a resolution commemorating what would have been Martin Luther King Jr's 92nd birthday.

As we celebrate his life and legacy lets ensure we live each day answering the call to "Life's Most Persistent and Urgent Question: What Are You Doing For Others" MLK Jr.
MWRD Awards 16 Municipalities
Green Infrastructure Funding
MWRD engineers 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.

President Steele and the Board of Commissioners would like to thank all of the local governments and community partners for submitting applications, introducing their plans and sharing in MWRD's mission to protect our water environment.

For more information about these projects and this program please click on the following link
** MWRD Green Infrastructure Projects (https://mwrd.org/mwrd-funds-16-local-green-infrastructure-projects-enhance-public-spaces)

Flood-Prone Property Acquisition & Local Storm Water Partnership
Program Funding

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** (https://mwrd.org/flood-prone-property-acquisition)
Program and Local Stormwater Partnership Program.

Applications and all attachments may be submitted via e-mail, online, U.S. mail or other courier service by March 12, 2021 at 11:59 PM CST. Late or partial applications will not be accepted.  Electronic submission online or via E-mail is preferred.

Click on the link to find out more about and apply for the ** Flood-Prone Property Acquisition (https://mwrd.org/flood-prone-property-acquisition)
** (https://mwrd.org/flood-prone-property-acquisition)
** Program (https://mwrd.org/flood-prone-property-acquisition)
and ** Local Stormwater Partnership Program (https://mwrd.org/stormwater-partnership-program)
.
Federal Government Green Infrastruture Funding During A Crisis
(Crain's Chicago Business)
Commissioner DuBuclet's article in Crain's Chicago Business highlights how local agencies can not address issue plaguing our water infrastructure alone. The federal government has played and can play a key role by stepping up to address issues surrounding green infrastructure during times of crisis. The Green Project Reserve was a result of billions of dollars being set aside by the Federal government as a result of the 2009 Recession.

"MWRD's investment in these programs is critical, but we need federal funding to realize the full potential that localized water strategies hold. As the country navigates the pandemic crisis, harnessing 21st-century solutions like green infrastructure to solve 21st-century problems should be an essential part of our communities' economic recovery. To achieve this, we need renewed federal support for local public water utilities' sustainable water investments."

For more information about this report please click on the following link ** Federal History of Funding of Green Infrastructure (https://www.chicagobusiness.com/forum-ideas-lake-michigan/federal-support-needed-green-infrastructure?utm_source=editorial-promos&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20210122&utm_content=idio-headline9)
7 year Microbiome Project Concludes
Scientists with the MWRD and Argonne National Laboratory have concluded a seven-year Microbiome Project resulting in an unprecedented look into the microbes that impact the quality of the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS).

The
CAWS Microbiome Project puts the MWRD and Argonne at the forefront of environmental research by examining the microbial communities at the molecular level, addressing sources of contamination and healthy water systems. This study represents the most comprehensive and longest characterization of the microbiome of an urban waterway yet attempted.

For more information about this report please click on the following link ** Argonne National Lab Assessment (https://mwrd.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/Argonne_201217.pdf)
MWRD to participate in a Nationwide Study to Understand COVID-19
through wastewater
MWRD is set to participate in the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) nationwide sewage and surveillance project to conduct COVID-19 wastewater testing.

Samples will be taken from the MWRD’s Calumet WRP in Chicago, Egan WRP in Schaumburg, Kirie WRP in Des Plaines, O’Brien WRP in Skokie, and Stickney WRP in the Stickney/Cicero area .

For more information on MWRD's role in the study please click the following link ** Nationwide COVID-19 Wastewater Study (https://mwrd.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/Press_Release_201230.pdf)
Time Magazine Recognizes Local Heroes' Efforts
Congratulations to Pastor Reshorna Fitzpatrick and her husband Bishop Derrick Fitzpatrick of Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church for receiving "2020 The Year in Heroes" honors from Time Magazine for their efforts to transform the church into "a hub of community outreach".

For the last two years MWRD has provided the church with complimentary EQ compost to help build and improve their gardens and oak saplings to restore the canopy. Many thanks to MWRD Vice President Barbara McGowan for her role in facilitating MWRD's relationship with the Fitzpatricks.

For more information about Pastor Fitzpatrick and Bishop Fitzpatrick's work click the following link ** Time Magazine 2020 Heroes (https://time.com/collection/heroes-of-2020/5916455/reshorna-derrick-fitzpatrick/?fbclid=IwAR1kCC3zGsY6jM1Iqzw2XPO9G-ANbAgmqdKZ_l1HOZeFCcYxj9hRbGCXZ_g)
.
Cook County Covid-19 Vaccinations
Cook County Government, Cook County Health and Cook County Department of Public Health are pleased to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to those living or working in Cook County.

Sign up to receive:
* Updates on the Vaccine and the Community Vaccination Program
* Notification for when vaccine administration is open to your phase
* Information on scheduling a vaccine appointment through Cook County Health
* Information on vaccine distribution locations throughout Cook County

For more information please click on the following link ** Cook County Vaccinations (https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov/)
.
Green Explorers Club "Project Boxes"
Green Explorers Club teaches kids the tools of sustainability while building a healthy curiosity for life sciences and the environment. They explore sustainability through hands-on experiments and activities that demonstrate the importance of taking care of our planet. They take kids out into nature and explore the world hands-on through experience.

However, for kids who want to try
Green Explorers Club at home, or families who do not live close to their Chicago location, their project boxes are the next best thing. Every project box contains activities used in their studio with the fantastic kids who join their camps and classes every year. Their project boxes are designed for kids ages 4-9 years.

For more information about the Green Explorers Club and their Project Boxes please click on the following link ** Project Boxes (https://greenexplorersclub.com/pages/project-boxes-3/)
.
MWRD Virtual Tour
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL TOUR EXPERIENCE!

Travel back in time to early Chicago to see how we reversed the Chicago River and developed wastewater treatment technology. Go behind the scenes and under water to see how we transform the water you use every day; descend 300 feet into the deep tunnel system, and watch our electrofishing crew at work sampling fish on the Chicago River.

Date: Friday, February 19, 2021
Time: 10:00 AM  – 11:15 AM
Location:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpde6qqj0oHNAXFb8g-i3wU24I5IQ20nfE
MWRD Small Streams Maintenance Program
The Small Stream Maintenance Program is one of MWRD's little know programs. If left unattended, this debris could cause stream blockages and lead to flooding. Please help be our eyes by reporting blockages and debris in streams at ** https://gispub.mwrd.org/ssmp/ (https://gispub.mwrd.org/ssmp/?fbclid=IwAR2qzfZOCqc2nNJ-GTHzqS4DZ5uOUq3EB6u_NikmXvG8OxCSQB0M7j68U74)
or call (312) 787-3575.
MWRD Story Releases a Storybook

Have you ever wondered what happens after you flush the toilet?

The new MWRD publication "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. Interspersed throughout the storybook are photos of actual equipment and processes described in the story.
Download a copy of this storybook by clicking on the following link  ** Where does IT Go? (https://mwrd.org/sites/default/files/documents/WhereDoesItGo_200921.pdf)
.
Free Fun Water Education Resources!
Home looking for things for the kids to do? Check out MWRD’s free and fun activities and resources available on our ** website (https://mwrd.org/k-12)
. There you’ll find lots of fun ways to learn about MWRD and how to protect our water and the environment. Materials are available in both English and Spanish. Print, use, learn and enjoy!
Free Compost for Pick Up!
** (https://mwrd.org/eq-compost)
Click photo for more information on MWRD's compost programs
Employment Opportunities at MWRD
Current Positions

** Online Employment Center Link  (https://jobapscloud.com/mwrd/)
Upcoming Events
Click Link to see ** Community Events (https://mwrd.org/events)
Contact Information
Our mailing address is:

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
Commissioner Kimberly Du Buclet
100 East Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60611

Phone Number
312-751-5086
** Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/Kim4Water )
** Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KIM4MWRD/)
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