[Communications] June 2025 FLOW - 57th edition

[Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago]

Email from Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Monthly news summary from the MWRD Issue 57 June 2025 For the Love Of Water (FLOW) is a monthly summary of news from the  Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Read FLOW on our website June Events 2 Pride Month flag raising and celebration 11:30 a.m. 5 MWRD Board of Commissioners Meeting 10:30 a.m. 9 Virtual Tour of MWRD properties 2 p.m. 26 MWRD Board of Commissioners Meeting 10:30 a.m. 27 Monitoring & Research Seminar 10:30 a.m. Pride Month flag raising and celebration to be held June 2 Join the MWRD as we raise the Pride flag and celebrate peace, equality, and community on Monday, June 2 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building, 100 E. Erie, Chicago. The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus will give a special performance. Register for Pride program MWRD Board of Commissioners' meetings Thursday, June 5 and 26 at 10:30 a.m. The MWRD Board of Commissioners will hold its Regular Board Meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 5 and Thursday, June 26. Public comments may be made at the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building, 100 E. Erie Street, Chicago, during the Public Comment period. Visit mwrd.org to watch the meeting online. Click on Board of Commissioners in the upper right corner, click on Board calendar. An "In Progress" link under the Video Column will be active when there is a meeting in session. Closed captioning is available. In the photo, front row, L-R: MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn, President Kari K. Steele and Chairman of Finance Marcelino Garcia. Back row, L-R: Commissioner Yumeka Brown, Commissioner Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Commissioner Sharon Waller, Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis, Commissioner Cam Davis and Commissioner Eira Corral Sepúlveda. Click to watch Board Meeting City of Chicago hosts Green Stormwater Infrastructure public meetings Make your voice heard! Join the City of Chicago’s Department of Environment at one of two remaining public meetings to provide input and learn about stormwater management and urban greening efforts in your neighborhood. •	Mon., June 2, 6 p.m., Rainbow Beach Fieldhouse, 3111 E. 77th St., Chicago •	Wed., June 4, 6 p.m., Nathanael Greene Elementary School, 3525 S Honore St., Chicago On the agenda is a presentation on Chicago’s Stormwater Infrastructure Strategy, discussions with subject-matter experts, hands-on activities and resource tables with information on water management, sustainability and community programs. All participants have a chance to win a $100 grocery gift card and rain barrel. Virtual Tour Monday, June 9 at 2 p.m. Embark on a captivating virtual tour with the MWRD. Have you ever wondered what happens to the water after it goes down the drain? Follow the flow with the MWRD on a virtual tour of our wastewater treatment process on Monday, June 9 at 2 p.m.!   Join us for an inside look at how we protect our waterways, reduce pollution, and even turn waste into renewable resources—all from the comfort of your home! Whether you're a student, an environmental enthusiast, or just looking for a unique adventure, this tour is packed with fascinating science and sustainable solutions. Sign up today and get a fresh perspective on water reclamation! Register for the virtual tour Monitoring and Research Seminar Friday, June 27  On Friday, June 27, at 10:30 a.m., Jeff Sparks, Ph.D., Director of Digital Water, Hampton Road Sanitation District, Virginia Beach, Virginia, will discuss “Highlighting the Benefits of Machine Learning for BRN at HRSD.”      How to register: In person: R.S.V.P. by emailing Dr. Heng Zhang at zhangH at mwrd.org or calling (708) 588-4264.  Virtual: Visit here on June 27 for the seminar link. Professional Development Credits/CEUs are available.  Open House at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant set for August 2 Join us for an open house and tour of one of the world's largest wastewater treatment facility on Saturday, August 2 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Stickney WRP is located at 6001 W. Pershing, Cicero, IL. Please dress for an industrial environment; wear closed toe shoes and pants. Bring your old or unwanted medications for proper disposal. Partners to cut ribbon on Salt Creek restoration project The public is invited to participate in a ribbon-cutting event for the Salt Creek Restoration Project at Fullersburg Woods in the DuPage County Forest Preserves on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 11 a.m. near the Graue Mill and Museum, 3800 York Road, Oak Brook. This project is a partnership between the MWRD, DuPage County Forest Preserves, and the DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup.   The restoration project honors the history of the Graue Mill and Fullersburg Woods, while improving water quality and enhancing recreational opportunities in Salt Creek. In addition to removing the Graue Mill dam, the project revitalizes over a mile of upstream Salt Creek by stabilizing the streambank, diversifying habitat for aquatic life and planting native vegetation along the stream.  MWRD's 2025 Small Business Summit scheduled for Sept. 9 Sign up today to be among the first to receive important Summit updates. Don’t miss your chance to participate in what promises to be one of 2025's top vendor outreach events. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL. Click the button to pre-register. Pre-register MWRD in the News Geoffrey Baer honored for educating the public about water infrastructure The Board of Commissioners honored Geoffrey Baer for his dedication to sharing the stories of our region’s water history and for spotlighting the value of clean water and infrastructure. A nine-time Emmy Award winner, Baer has long been celebrated for his engaging documentaries that delve into the architectural and cultural tapestry of Chicago. His work has illuminated the intricate relationship between the city's development and its waterways, bringing to light the significance of institutions like the MWRD. Watch Geoffrey's visit to the Deep Tunnel in 2009 and read more here. In the bottom photo: Geoffrey Baer visited the Deep Tunnel in 2009. Season opening of the Melas Centennial Fountain kicks off summer MWRD Commissioners and staff along with Chicago's 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly celebrated the season opening of the Nicholas J. Melas Centennial Fountain on May 15. Located on the north bank of the Chicago River at McClurg Court, the fountain periodically sends an impressive 80-foot water arc across the river during summer months. The fountain is named after former MWRD President Nicholas J. Melas and was dedicated in 1989. It represents MWRD's commitment to improve the quality of the Chicago River to protect the public health, enhance waterway ecology, stimulate economic development and serves as a welcome entrance to Chicago. Learn more about the fountain here. In the photo (L-R): MWRD Commissioner Eira Corral Sepúlveda, Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis, Commissioner Yumeka Brown, 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly, President Kari K. Steele, Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn, Commissioner Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Commissioner Sharon Waller, and Acting Executive Director John P. Murray. Calumet Water Reclamation Plant Open House and Cub Scout Impact Day draw nearly 300 visitors About 300 visitors of all ages stopped by the Calumet WRP in conjunction with Chicago Water Week on May 10.   Guests, including IL State Senator Robert Martwick (10th Dist.) and various Cub Scout troops, toured the facility to learn how wastewater is cleaned and returned safely to the environment.   MWRD staff from multiple disciplines were on hand to answer questions, showcase the plant’s operations, and highlight the importance of water stewardship. Read more here. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies held at two Space to Grow schools The first Space to Grow ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on May 19 at the Ronald H. Brown Community Academy, 12607 S. Union Ave., Chicago. Brown Academy is in the West Pullman neighborhood and its new yard can hold up to 303,246 gallons of stormwater per rain event. This project took a schoolyard area that was formerly 100 percent asphalt and converted it into a track and artificial turf field, basketball court, porous playground surfacing, a nature play area, rain garden area, and outdoor classroom. Read more about this event here. The second ceremony was held at Spencer Elementary Technology Academy, 214 N. Lavergne Ave. in the Austin neighborhood, on May 30. Spencer Academy can hold up to 190,872 gallons of stormwater per rain event. This schoolyard was also comprised of asphalt before it was transformed into a track and artificial turf field, volleyball court, and basketball court with porous playground surfacing, nature play area, rain gardens, outdoor classroom, and permeable paver walkways. Learn more about the Space to Grow program here. Ernest C. Wong inspires at MWRD's Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration Ernest C. Wong, founder and principal of Site Design Group, delivered an inspiring presentation on May 22 during the MWRD's Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration held at the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building in Chicago. A trailblazer in landscape architecture, Wong has spent more than 35 years shaping Site Design Group into a nationally recognized, multicultural design firm known for its innovative and community-focused approach. Under his leadership, the firm has earned acclaim for transforming urban spaces into vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable environments. Watch the AAPI Heritage Month program MWRD Commissioners, staff participate in annual Chicago River Day cleanup efforts MWRD Commissioners and staff joined hundreds of volunteers across Cook County to participate in the annual Chicago River Day cleanup hosted by the Friends of the Chicago River. This vital community effort works to protect and enhance the health of local riverbanks and waterways while educating the public about the importance of clean water, sustainable practices, and the shared responsibility of caring for our environment.   The MWRD’s debris boat made a significant contribution by collecting 20 cubic yards of yard waste and 20 cubic yards of trash and debris from the river, helping to restore the natural beauty and ecological health of our shared water resources. The commissioners and staff fanned out across the region to take part in various educational and cleanup efforts which included picking up trash, removing invasive plant species, and beautifying the area. Read more here.  Resources Sign up for Overflow Action Day Alert text messages   Sign up to receive Overflow Action Day Alert text messages at the link below. When we announce an Overflow Action Day Alert, you will be reminded to reduce your use of water before, during and after a storm to help prevent excess water from entering local sewers. Sign up for text alerts   Join Our Team!  Are you looking for a new job?   If so, visit our online employment center at the link below to register, apply and learn more about jobs and the selection process . We also participate in job fairs so stop by our table if you are in attendance!  Staff in a variety of job classifications were interviewed to discuss their background and work that they do. These videos can be found on the MWRD YouTube page. Employment Center Keep medications out of our water environment! Medications can end up in waterways. This includes pet medications too! These drugs can pass through our water reclamation plants (WRPs) and enter rivers and streams. This can harm fish, plant life and our waterways. Controlling what goes down the drain is an easy and effective way to protect the environment. How you can help You can help keep medications from entering our waterways by disposing of unwanted medicine properly:  1) Never flush unused medications down the drain or toss expired medicines in the garbage.  2) Take unused and expired medications to Cook County Prescription Drug Take Back Network locations. 3) For over-the-counter products, monitor your supply. Store them in one spot in your home to avoid accidentally buying extras. Never flush them down the toilet.  The MWRD is proud to play a role in collecting unwanted medicine and keeping our drains medicine free. Our boxes are located near the entrances at the Stickney, Calumet and O'Brien WRPs and in the lobby of the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building in Chicago. Do not leave medication outside the box. If a box is locked, please return during hours of operation or visit another location.  MWRD drug collection box locations McGowan Main Office Building Lobby 100 E. Erie St., Chicago Monday–Friday, 9 am–6 pm Calumet WRP entrance 400 E. 130th St., Chicago Open 7 days a week, 9 am–6 pm O’Brien WRP entrance 3500 Howard St., Skokie  Open 7 days a week, 9 am–6 pm Stickney WRP entrance 6001 W. Pershing Road, Cicero  Open 7 days a week, 9 am–6 pm Find drug takeback locations What is the key to pollution prevention when it comes to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)? Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manmade fluorinated compounds that are designed to be stable and have been in commercial use since the 1940s. The stability of the chemicals makes them difficult to degrade which is why they are called “forever chemicals.” PFAS are in commercial, consumer, and industrial products and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that they are widely present in the environment; nonstick cookware, cosmetics, sunscreens, washing clothes, and fire-fighting foams can introduce PFAS into the environment. Like other water utilities across the U.S., the MWRD is addressing how best to manage PFAS in the water environment. The MWRD’s seven water reclamation plants do not produce nor use PFAS but are passive receivers of these chemicals after they are discharged to local sewers. As a result, wastewater can contain trace amounts of these chemicals from industrial, commercial and household sources. The MWRD’s WRPs were not designed to remove these chemicals during the treatment process. The key to pollution prevention is addressing the source of PFAS. The MWRD is closely following and proceeding based on the developing science on the potential impacts of PFAS. The MWRD is also working to identify and reduce industrial discharges of PFAS, learning how the discharge from these sources can be reduced and encouraging federal and state regulators to focus on stopping these chemicals at the source. The MWRD’s pretreatment program regulates industrial discharges to protect the treatment process and valuable resources the MWRD recovers. More PFAS Information Permanent Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Tuesdays, 7 a.m. - Noon Thursdays, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. The first Saturday of every month 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.   Dispose of your household chemicals responsibly and recycle your old computers. Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) may be dropped off at the City of Chicago's permanent Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility at 1150 N. North Branch Street (two blocks east of the Kennedy Expressway at Division Street).   Household chemicals and computers often contain hazardous substances, such as lead, mercury, and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) which can contaminate our air, soil and water. Through proper disposal methods or recycling, these hazardous substances are reprocessed and reused in an environmentally-responsible manner.   The Household Chemical and Computer Recycling Facility accepts a range of items, including household cleaners, oil-based paints, solvents, cell phones, compact fluorescent light bulbs, computers and related equipment to name a few. It does not accept business/commercial sector wastes, explosives, fireworks or latex paint.   During business hours, an attendant will unload your vehicle and accept your materials. Materials should not be left outside the facility unattended. Breaking news! South Suburban College, 15800 State St., South Holland, will be the site of a new permanent Cook County HHW facility opening this fall. This new facility will be located next to the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM Center) where residents can dispose of electronics, polystyrene foam, clothing and textiles, personal healthcare equipment and general household recycling materials. Residents will be able to dispose of household chemicals, rechargeable batteries, oil-based paints, solvents, medications, fluorescent light bulbs, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, auto fluids, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, aerosol cans and lawn, pool and hobby chemicals. The CHaRM Center has taken in nearly 2.5 million pounds of materials that may have been disposed of in landfills. Read more here. See accepted items Doing Business with the MWRD   New! Click here to watch a video on how to submit a responsive bid or proposal! The MWRD Department of Procurement and Materials Management procures materials and services required for operations in compliance with the MWRD's Purchasing Act. The mission of the Diversity Section is to ensure that minority owned (MBE), women owned (WBE), small (SBE), and veteran owned (VBE) business enterprises are given equal opportunities to participate in the MWRD’s construction program and professional service contracts in excess of $100,000.   Our procurement process is designed to ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars, so we encourage you to register to become a vendor at this link. Sign up to receive a weekly email listing of new contract announcements by emailing forea at mwrd.org. Get started Please report waterway blockages, suspicious dumping to waterways or sewers, or odors. Call 800-332-DUMP (3867) or in Spanish 855-323-4801 Learn more Tips to prepare your home for excess rainwater Read our "Green Neighbor Guide"   Now is a good time to work on projects that can make your home more resilient to stormwater. Some actions can be as simple as not over-fertilizing your lawn and garden, installing a rain barrel or planting a native tree. No matter what action you choose, the MWRD "Green Neighbor Guide" can help. It gives instructions on stormwater management projects that you can install on your property. For example, detailed instructions are offered for disconnecting downspouts; installing rain barrels or cisterns to capture stormwater for reuse; installing dry wells and rain gardens to allow stormwater to filter into the ground; and replacing asphalt and concrete surfaces with permeable paving to reduce stormwater runoff. Watch our YouTube video to see how a rain barrel is installed. Read our Green Neighbor Guidel Discounted rain barrels available while supplies last For a limited time, MWRD rain barrels are available to residents of Cook County at a discounted price of $21.50 and $10.75 for seniors 65 and older. Limit two per residence. Rain barrels capture rainwater from your roof and save it for later use. Rain barrels can help prevent basement backups, street flooding and sewer overflows by keeping rainwater out of the sewer system. You can use rain barrel water to water your lawn or garden and clean your work boots, tools and bikes. Rain barrels can hold up to 55 gallons. The overflow opening lets you connect a hose to direct overflow away from your foundation or to connect several rain barrels. Our rain barrels:  Are made from durable high-density polyethylene. Come in four colors (black, blue, terra cotta and gray) and may have different shapes depending on the vendor. Include instructions, a leaf and mosquito filter screen, a flexible downspout connector, a spigot/tap, and an overflow hose. Free delivery. Buy a rain barrel Free oak saplings available Complimentary red, pin, bur, black or swamp white oak saplings are available at our water reclamation plants on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon through October.  If more than 50 potted saplings are desired, delivery is available, or park districts, residents and municipalities can schedule pick ups. The saplings come in one gallon pots or can be requested as bare roots in bags of 100. The bare root saplings should be planted within a matter of days for premium viability.  Learn more about our Restore the Canopy sapling program here. Tour an MWRD facility   Each year, our seven water reclamation plants process approximately 450 billion gallons of wastewater. With a daily treatment capacity exceeding two billion gallons, the MWRD plays a critical role in protecting our region’s water quality. To learn more about our work, visit our YouTube channel, watch a virtual tour, or schedule an in-person group tour. Schedule a tour Schedule a speaker The MWRD offers in-person and virtual presentations for all ages on subjects like: Overview of the MWRD Careers in water History of water in the Chicago region, including reversing the Chicago River How sewers work Explanation of the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan or Deep Tunnel How wastewater treatment works Recovering resources from wastewater Stormwater management flood control  What is green infrastructure What you can do to protect water quality and reduce flooding Please request a speaker for your group or class at least three weeks in advance.  Schedule a speaker Request a community event representative The MWRD actively engages with communities across Cook County throughout the year, participating in events such as back-to-school fairs, environmental expos, farmers markets, municipal gatherings, and career days. Our representatives provide engaging materials and interactive activities designed for all ages, offering insights into our work, areas of responsibility, and practical tips on how to enhance local water quality. Request community event participation MWRD Historical Photo: Construction of a bridge at Loomis St. over the South Branch of the Chicago River on March 8, 1904. The Sanitary District (now MWRD) built the bridge between 1902 and 1904.   June 2025 Calendar About the photo: Sand and water line at Montrose Beach in Chicago. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago | 100 E. Erie Street | Chicago, IL 60611 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Our Privacy Policy | Constant Contact Data Notice
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