[Communications] MWRD FLOW - October 2021

[Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago]

 October 2021 | Issue 14 For the Love Of Water (FLOW) is a summary of news from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.  In this edition Latest News Fitch Ratings affirms MWRD's AAA credit rating MWRD Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos to receive Water Environment Federation Award MWRD Executive Director Brian A. Perkovich receives Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies (IAWA) award Jennifer Wasik, Assistant Director of Monitoring and Research, named President of IAWA Space to Grow unveils new playground at Whistler Elementary School 312 RiverRun Trail completed MWRD staff yield harvest of pumpkins at Calumet Water Reclamation Plant Current launches real-time monitoring tool for the Chicago River Upcoming Events Latinx Heritage Month Events: October 2 - La Herencia Latina and Nuestra Madre Tierra Family Festival October 14 - Virtual Business Roundtable October 16 - Stewardship Day 4th Quarter Watershed Planning Council Meetings October 2 - Milkweed for Monarchs October 6 - Two Space to Grow Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies Scheduled October 7 - Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting October 12 - 9th Annual Sustainability Summit October 12 - MWRD's Monthly Virtual Tour October 16 - 47th Ward Recycle-Palooza, Chicago October 16 - Free Shred and Recycle Event, Franklin Park October 16 through October 20 - Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference October 21 - Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting October 21 - Imagine a Day Without Water October 26 - Mount Prospect and River Trails Ribbon Cutting Event Resources Free oak saplings to Restore the Canopy MWRD Employment Center Visit the MWRD's Virtual Library "Where Does IT Go?" animation now in Spanish! Report waterway blockages, suspicious dumping and odors to 800-332-DUMP (3867). Extras Historical Photo of the Month October 2021 Calendar Latest News Fitch Ratings affirms MWRD's AAA credit rating Fitch Ratings Agency has again affirmed the MWRD's AAA credit rating for its stability, especially during the pandemic. In its latest review and report, Fitch credited the MWRD for its reliable revenue streams, low operating costs, and an improving debt leverage ratio. Fitch further noted that the MWRD has managed to stay afloat during turbulent and unpredictable economic times. Read the full press release here. MWRD Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos to receive WEF award MWRD Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos will receive a Public Officials Award from the Water Environment Federation at the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition & Conference on October 19 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The Public Officials Award is presented to a local, state or federal elected or appointed public official that has made a documented, significant contribution in clean water legislation, public policy, government service, or another area of public prominence that resulted in improvements to the water environment. Read more at this link. MWRD Executive Director Brian A. Perkovich receives IAWA award The Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies is a state organization dedicated to clean streams and responsible wastewater collection and treatment. It awarded its highest honor, the Illinois Award, to MWRD Executive Director Brian A. Perkovich. Brian has served as executive director since December 2018 and has more than 28 years of experience working at the MWRD. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Master’s degree in Business Administration in Finance from DePaul University. He leads a staff of approximately 1,900 operating around the clock to transform wastewater into clean water for Chicago and 128 surrounding municipalities while managing stormwater for Cook County and protecting area waterways and the region’s drinking water supply, Lake Michigan. In coordination with the MWRD Board of Commissioners, Brian has helped lead the MWRD’s essential services through the pandemic while also facilitating a first-of-its-kind, collaborative strategic planning process. The MWRD recently released its five-year Strategic Plan, utilizing public participation, a steering committee, and engagement with employees, local government agencies and consultants during the pandemic.  The IAWA represents more than 80 years of transition and growth of the Illinois Association of Sanitary Districts, today helping meet and address the needs of administrators and managers working across the state to manage wastewater treatment and protect area waterways. Jennifer Wasik, Assistant Director of Monitoring and Research, named President of IAWA Assistant Director of Monitoring and Research Jennifer Wasik has been named president of IAWA. Jennifer has served on the IAWA executive board since 2017 and has been involved in the organization since 2008. In addition, she serves on the executive board of the Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group. She has a B.S. in Biology from the University of Michigan and an M.S. in Environmental Management from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Space to Grow unveils new playground at Whistler Elementary School The playground is now open at John Whistler Elementary School in Chicago thanks to our Space to Grow partnership. On September 14, MWRD President Kari K. Steele joined the Chicago Department of Water Management, Chicago Public Schools, Healthy Schools Campaign and Openlands to unveil our 26th schoolyard transformation, providing vibrant and resilient places to learn and play. The permeable surface area can capture almost 154,000 gallons of water every time it rains. Upgrades include a new turf field, playground, rain gardens with a stone riverbed and outdoor classroom with native plants and chairs and tables made from recycled plastic. Congratulations to Whistler Elementary School students, the Maple Park neighborhood and the Space to Grow partnership on this wonderful addition to the community. 312 RiverRun Trail Completed MWRD Vice President Barbara McGowan (4th from left) and MWRD Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos (3rd from right) participated in the Chicago Mayor's Office ceremony signifying completion of the 312 RiverRun Trail located at Irving Park Road and the North Branch of the Chicago River.  The Chicago Department of Transportation constructed a trail through a bridge underpass below Irving Park Road that connects the south side of the trail into Horner Park, thanks in part to land access provided by the MWRD. The trail connects to a Horner Park nature trail area to the north that the MWRD leases for a nominal fee to the Chicago Park District. This stretch of Horner Park was recently restored by the Chicago Park District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Read the Block Club Chicago article at this link and MWRD press release here. MWRD staff yield harvest of pumpkins at Calumet Water Reclamation Plant A pumpkin patch is sprouting just in time for Halloween and is among the many projects that demonstrate MWRD staff’s resourcefulness, pride and responsibility for their workplace.   Two years ago, Calumet Water Reclamation Plant staff spread 10 yards of the MWRD’s Exceptional Quality (EQ) Compost processed nearby at the Calumet Solids Management Area. The blend of Class A biosolids and woodchips stimulated the soil and spurred growth for decorative trees that staff could view from their offices. This year the employees went a step further and planted nine pumpkin seeds and waited for rain. Shortly thereafter, five vines sprouted and the bulbs began to emerge and grow into full size pumpkins ready to be decorated for the Halloween season. Staff also took used EQ Compost to create planter beds to grow flowers to support pollinators.  The EQ Compost is a sustainable and environmentally beneficial product derived from the water reclamation process. The 2021 program ends October 10 so bring a bucket and shovel and load up while supplies last. For additional information, please visit the website at https://mwrd.org/eq-compost. Current launches real time monitoring tool H2NOW for the Chicago River H2NOW, being tested as the first real-time monitoring tool for the Chicago River, is now available at H2NowChicago.org. It provides water quality reports every 15 minutes from three spots along the river. Lead by Chicago-based Current and supported by 20 partners including the MWRD, the H2NOW sensors record an indicator of fecal matter levels at popular recreation spots on each of the three branches of the river: North, South and Main. Read more from the Associated Press. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Upcoming Events Latinx Heritage Month events scheduled La Herencia Latina and Nuestra Madre Tierra Family Festival set for 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 2  On Saturday, October 2 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., join Lyons Township Clerk Elyse Hoffenberg and MWRD Commissioner Eira Corral Sepúlveda for a Latino Heritage Month celebration at Summit Park District! Attendees will be given EQ Compost, tree saplings, community resources, and COVID-19 vaccines while enjoying baile folklorico performances. Virtual Business Roundtable scheduled for Oct. 14 On Thursday, October 14 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., join MWRD Chairman of Finance Marcelino Garcia, Commissioner Eira Corral Sepúlveda, President Kari K. Steele, roundtable partners and staff for a virtual business roundtable in honor of Latinx Heritage Month. Learn how and why to do business with the MWRD. Click here to register.  Joining Commissioners on the panel are: Jaime di Paulo, President and CEO, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce  Dana Harder, INDEP Chicago Consulting Jacqueline Gomez, Executive Director, Hispanic American Construction Industry Association Presentations will be given by MWRD staff: "How to do Business with the MWRD," Darlene LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management "Diversity in Consulting and Construction Contracts," Regina Berry, Diversity Administrator "Current and Upcoming Contracting Opportunities," Dr. Catherine O’Connor, Director of Engineering MWRD, partners to support Stewardship Day at Possum Hollow Woods for Latinx Heritage Month  On Saturday, October 16 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the MWRD will co-sponsor Latinx Heritage Month Stewardship Day in support of students, communities and the environment at Possum Hollow Woods in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC).    Raquel Garcia-Alvarez of FPCC and Xochitl Lopez will lead the event in both English and Spanish. The day will start with learning about the site, and activities will consist of seed collecting, a guided hike, plant identification, and poetry reading.   Participants must wear a face covering. All tools will be provided. Pre-registration is required. Click here to register. 4th Quarter Watershed Planning Council meetings scheduled Attention municipalities in Cook County! Help us help you by bringing information on capital projects that you are planning to one of the upcoming Watershed Planning Council meetings so we can discuss providing assistance.   October 13 — Poplar Creek and Upper Salt Creek October 21 — Little Calumet River October 27 —Lower Des Plaines River Tributaries and Cal Sag Channel December 7 — North Branch of Chicago River Find more information at https://mwrd.org/watershed-planning-council-meetings-0 Milkweed for Monarchs planting event to be held at First Nations Garden Saturday, October 2 Want to invite monarch butterflies into our communities by planting milkweed? On Saturday, October 2 at the First Nations Garden (Pulaski and Wilson), put on your gardening attire and plant milkweed from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will also be a drawing for free milkweed seeds. Two Space to Grow Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies Scheduled for Oct. 6 A Space to Grow ribbon cutting will be held at Horace Mann Elementary School, 8050 S. Chappel at 11 a.m. and at Arnold Mireles Academy, 9000 S. Exchange Ave. at 12:30 p.m. on October 6.   Mann’s schoolyard can hold 271,203 gallons of stormwater per rain event and includes: an artificial turf field, porous playground surfacing, two large rain gardens, a nature-play area, and an outdoor classroom with permeable pavers.   Mireles’ new schoolyard can hold 208,114 gallons of stormwater per rain event and includes: an artificial turf field, porous playground surfacing, a large rain garden, a nature-play area, and an outdoor classroom with permeable pavers.   By the end of the year, 30 Space to Grow schools will have been completed to bring the grand total of storage volume to 5.6 million gallons per rain event. This design retention capacity is equivalent to 8.4 Olympic-size pools or 111,108 bathtubs per rain event. Board of Commissioners to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Thurs., October 7 and Thurs., October 21 The MWRD Board of Commissioners’ meetings will take place on Thursday, October 7 and Thursday, October 21. Public comments may be made in person at 100 E. Erie Street during the Public Comment period. Everyone is required to wear face masks, and the building will follow state social distancing guidelines. There is limited capacity in the Board room.  To view the meeting, visit our website at https://mwrd.legistar.com/calendar.aspx. Electronic comments will not be read during the meeting but will be provided to the Board. If you would like to view the live stream, click the "In Progress" link under the Video Column. This link will only be active when there is a meeting in session. 9th Annual Sustainability Summit set for Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. Join us for a free event on Tuesday, October 12 from 10 a.m. to noon to learn about partnerships and activities of key organizations fostering a sustainable environment in the Chicago region. Presenters will also discuss resources available for implementing sustainable practices in your community. Presenters include: MWRD President Kari K. Steele, Moderator Dr. Theresa Johnston, MWRD Senior Environmental Soil Scientist – Overview of biosolids and compost use as sustainable practice and current significant partnerships Dr. Sally Brown, Professor, University of Washington – Case studies of other cities and perspectives on emerging issues related to use of compost and biosolids Matt Freer, Assistant Director of Landscape, Chicago Park District - Overview of CPD’s sustainability initiatives/activities   Stephanie Katsaros, IL Food Scrap Coalition – Overview of IFSC’s collaborative activities and how individuals and other organizations can contribute to these efforts Ma’raj Sheikh, Systems & Strategy Manager, Chicago Food Policy Action Council – Ongoing or opportunities for partnerships and projects addressing sustainability in disadvantaged areas in the Chicago area. Andre Haynes, MWRD Senior Civil Engineer - Stormwater Resources Stephen Haucke, MWRD Senior Civil Engineer – Role of Green Infrastructure Lucas Roat, MWRD Associate Civil Engineer – Flood Prone Property buyouts Annie Wright, MWRD Public Affairs Specialist, Engineering Department – How to find and apply for grants from public sector resources Awards for Beneficial Biosolids Reuse and Sustainable Landscaping will be announced following the presentations. Register for the Sustainability Summit at this link. Join us for a live virtual tour at 3 p.m. on October 12 At 3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 12, 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.  Our virtual tours are free and open to the public. Please register at this link.  No time available on October 12? Click here to watch a one hour pre-recorded tour. Chicago's 47th Ward Recycle-Palooza set for Saturday, October 16 from 9 a.m. - noon On Saturday, October 16 from 9 a.m. to noon, the MWRD will co-host Recycle-palooza in partnership with Chicago 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin, the Northcenter Neighborhood Association and the 47th Ward Green Council. We will have electronics recycling and a rain barrel giveaway along with other resources. Visit www//bit.ly/47recycles for more information. Free Shred and Recycle event set for October 16 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Franklin Park Police Station Bring your papers and electronics for environmentally-friendly disposal on Saturday, October 16 from 9 a.m. to noon. Mayor Barrett Pedersen, Senate President Don Harmon, Representative Camille Lilly and MWRD Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos are hosting this event in conjunction with the Cook County Sheriff's Office. Free oak tree saplings and bags of Exceptional Quality Compost will be available while supplies last so come early! Visit vopf.com to see which electronic items will be accepted. As an added bonus, a free vaccination clinic will be held. No appointment is necessary. Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference October 16 - October 20 Commissioners and staff will participate in the 94th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition & Conference October 16-20, 2021 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Thousands of water industry professionals will have the opportunity to network and learn best practices in water management during the industry's signature event. Imagine a Day without Water is Thursday, October 21 In most of Cook County, drinking water comes from the City of Chicago Department of Water Management, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago treats water that you use. Without either of our organizations, life as we know it would cease to exist. Visit https://imagineadaywithoutwater.org/ to learn more. #ValueWater The Village of Mount Prospect and River Trails Park District to host a ribbon cutting ceremony October 26 Officials with the MWRD will join the Village of Mount Prospect and the River Trails Park District Board for a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 26, at 10 a.m. at Burning Bush Trails Park, 1313 N. Burning Bush Lane, Mount Prospect. This event will mark the completion of design, construction, operation and maintenance of Levee 37 interior drainage improvements that have also enabled $5.7 million in upgrades to the Burning Bush Trails and Aspen Trails parks in Mount Prospect. The first project to be completed at Burning Bush Trails Park includes the construction of a detention basin and pipe connection to existing storm sewers to better equip infrastructure to hold and discharge more than four million gallons of excess water during heavy rains. The project will provide flood relief for 32 structures within the Levee 37 interior drainage area just west of the Des Plaines River. In addition, park district improvements will include athletic fields on the east side of the park.  Resources It's Oaktober! Pick up free oak saplings to Restore the Canopy; the 2021 program ends October 31  We still have a variety of red, pin, white and black oak trees at our water reclamation plants every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon. While the 18" saplings might be small now, they can grow to 80 feet tall. The saplings can stay in the pot for months before replanting in a larger pot or in the ground with moderate watering each week to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid power lines and structures when planting.  Trees can help mitigate flooding by absorbing 2,800 gallons of rainfall per year. Trees also reduce air pollution, keep neighborhoods cooler; lower energy bills; increase property value; provide protection from wind; buffer noise; provide shade; increase habitat for wildlife; absorb carbon dioxide; and produce oxygen. MWRD Commissioner Cameron Davis explains the value of trees in this short video. MWRD Employment Center Do you or someone you know have a love for the environment? Are you seeking a new career or looking for your first job? If so, please visit our online employment center at this link to register, apply and learn more about jobs and the selection process at the MWRD. MWRD releases “¿A Dónde Se Va?” (“Where Does IT Go?”) animation for Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month "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. Click here to download the book and watch the animation in English, Chinese and, just in time for Latinx Heritage Month, Spanish! Find all of our videos on our YouTube channel at this link. Extras Historical Photo of the Month The Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge is pictured here on April 9, 1920, and in 2012. This vertical-lift bridge is a Chicago Landmark constructed in 1914. It is located on the South Branch of the Chicago River between 18th Street and Cermak Road near Ping Tom Memorial Park. October 2021 Calendar Contact the Office of Public Affairs at (312) 751-6633 to reserve a hard copy of our 2022 wall calendar. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago | mwrd.org Missed an edition of FLOW? 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