[Communications] March 2025 FLOW - 54th edition

[Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago]

Email from Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Monthly news summary from the MWRD Issue 54 March 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 March Events 6 MWRD Board of Commissioners Meeting 10:30 a.m. 12 Virtual Tour of MWRD properties 2 p.m. 20 MWRD Board of Commissioners 10:30 a.m. 25 Ribbon-cutting at Lake Katherine Noon 27 MWRD Celebration of Women's History Month Noon 28 Monitoring and Research Seminar 10:30 a.m. MWRD Board of Commissioners' meetings Thursday, March 6 and 20 10:30 a.m. The MWRD Board of Commissioners will hold its Regular Board Meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 6 and Thursday, March 20. 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. Click to watch Board Meeting Virtual Tour Wednesday, March 12 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 Wednesday, March 12 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! Bonus: You’ll learn why it’s important to "Go Green" beyond just wearing it for St. Patrick’s Day. Register for the virtual tour Lake Katherine Permeable Paver Commuter Parking Lot ribbon-cutting set for March 25 Join us for a Ribbon-Cutting ceremony at Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens 📅 Tuesday, March 25, 2025 🕛 Noon 📍 7402 W. Lake Katherine Dr, Palos Heights  You are invited to a ribbon cutting event for the permeable paver commuter parking lot at the Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens on March 25 at noon.    The MWRD contributed $184,000 towards the $1.13 million project that included the installation of the permeable pavers and bioswales at the Nature Center. The project is designed to capture 120,000 gallons of stormwater each time it rains, helping to mitigate flooding in the area and demonstrating the benefits of green infrastructure to neighbors and visitors. Learn more here. MWRD to host Women's History Month Celebration March 27 Join the MWRD as we celebrate Women's History Month When: Thursday, March 27 at noon to 1 p.m. Where: Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building, 100 E. Erie St., Chicago, IL The MWRD will celebrate Women’s History Month with a special event on March 27 from noon to 1 p.m. focused on the theme “Women Protecting Women.” This event will feature speakers addressing everyday personal care and protection as well as the broader implications of cybersecurity for women. Join the MWRD in recognizing the vital role women play in fostering security and resilience within our communities. Register for the WHM event Monitoring and Research Seminar Friday, March 28 10:30 a.m.  On Friday, March 28 at 10:30 a.m., Brian Ohsowski, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Loyola University Chicago, will give a presentation titled "Converting Invasive Hybrid Cattails (Typha x glauca) into Biochar and its Impact on Water Quality." Ohsowski teaches courses focused on restoration ecology and conservation biology. He delivers course content necessary to understand the current state of human impacted systems by emphasizing approaches and challenges in applied ecology. He is interested in contemporary threats to biodiversity, including habitat fragmentation, the spread of invasive species, and global climate change. In addition, he is actively engaged in the future career success of his students. Registration information 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 March 28 for the seminar link. Professional Development Credits/CEUs are available.  Save the Date Tour the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant at an open house on May 10 The MWRD will host an open house and tours at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant, 400 E. 130th Street, Chicago in conjunction with Chicago Water Week on Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Stop by to learn how we are recovering resources and transforming water. All ages are welcome. Please wear closed-toe shoes. 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. In the photo: MWRD President Kari K. Steele (center) and the MWRD Diversity Section welcomed visitors to the 2024 Diverse Business Summit at Malcolm X College on the West Side. Pre-register MWRD in the News Chicago Sun Times Op-ed: "Chicago River's reversal in 1900 was an 'engineering triumph' that transformed our city" In recent years, the Chicago River itself has undergone a renaissance, from a lifeless industrial waterway into a vibrant public asset, the head of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District writes. By Kari K. Steele   In this photo (below) from Sept. 22, 1904, laborers take a break during the construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal extension. When the Sanitary and Ship Canal was first completed, it ended at the Controlling Works near Lockport. The Sanitary District of Chicago (now the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District) built the extension to Joliet to allow for complete navigation from Lake Michigan to the Des Plaines River. Provided/MWRD Chicago just celebrated the 125th anniversary of a remarkable feat of engineering that forever changed the trajectory of the city and set a global precedent for innovation in water management: the reversal of the Chicago River. In 1900, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), then known as the Sanitary District of Chicago, completed a project that not only altered the course of a river but also redefined how cities safeguard public health and protect vital water resources. At the close of the 19th century, Chicago’s rapid population growth and industrial expansion were outpacing its infrastructure. When it rained, the banks of our waterways would flood and momentarily return Chicago to its marshland past. More alarming, the Chicago River, which naturally flowed into Lake Michigan, carried human and industrial waste from the city directly into the lake—the same lake that served as the source of Chicago’s drinking water. Once the Sanitary District of Chicago was established in 1889 by the Illinois General Assembly, its first assignment was clear: reverse the flow of the Chicago River, redirecting it away from Lake Michigan to protect the region’s water resources. The solution was as bold as it was unprecedented. Achieving this mammoth project required the construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, a 28-mile waterway that remains one of the largest earth-moving projects ever undertaken globally. The reversal was officially completed on Jan. 2, 1900, and its impact was immediate and transformative. The water discharged to the Des Plaines River where it could be diluted as it flowed into the Illinois River and eventually the Mississippi River. The canal was named one of the “Seven Wonders of American Engineering” by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1955. Our chief engineer at the time, Isham Randolph, used this experience to help build the Panama Canal.  The river’s reversal assured the protection of Chicago’s drinking water supply, enabling the city to continue its ascent as a global metropolis. ‘Bold, innovative thinking’ needed on environmental challenges Today, the Chicago River reversal is recognized as an engineering triumph and landmark achievement in environmental stewardship. It demonstrated the power of proactive, large-scale public works projects to address urgent challenges, laying the groundwork for modern water management practices worldwide. As we reflect on this historical milestone, let us make it a call to action. We must confront the pressing water challenges of our time. Climate change, aging infrastructure, and contaminants such as microplastics, PFAS “forever chemicals,” and pharmaceuticals demand the same bold, innovative thinking and investment that defined the Chicago River reversal. The MWRD remains committed to leading this charge. Our work has evolved significantly since 1900, yet our mission remains the same: to protect the region’s water resources and the health of its residents. Over the past century, we have pioneered initiatives to improve water quality, manage stormwater, and combat flooding. Our investments in the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan, nutrient management and renewable energy position us as a leader in sustainable water management and support our recognition by international water experts as a “Utility of the Future.” In recent years, the Chicago River itself has undergone a renaissance. Once dismissed as a lifeless industrial waterway, it has been revitalized into a vibrant public asset. The river now supports thriving ecosystems, recreational activities, and economic development, reflecting the enduring value of the MWRD’s work. None of this would have been possible without the foundational achievement of reversing the river’s flow 125 years ago.  The reversal of the Chicago River exemplified achievements in engineering, public health and environmental protection and reflected America’s “can do” spirit. Kari K. Steele is president of the MWRD Board of Commissioners. Read the article online Sun Times letter to the editor: "A case for following the science"  I enjoyed reading the recent op-ed by Kari Steele, “Chicago River’s reversal in 1900 was an ‘engineering triumph’ that transformed our city.” Humans have been working together to improve their environment for millennia. The two key factors were the willingness to cooperate with one another for the common good and to understand the underlying science and engineering (which is applied science) sufficiently so that their ideas would work on paper via research.   Today, we are beset by many domestic problems related to pollution, overpopulation (food and water scarcity), pandemics and climate change. Similarly to what happened 125 years ago, we can solve these problems together, but we all have to support scientific research and work together to succeed. Michael Pravica, Ph.D, Henderson, Nevada Read the response online “Here's why some water departments prepare for Super Bowl halftime toilet flushes," Snopes  Snopes is a fact-checking website. They asked us if Chicago-area sewers and/or wastewater treatment facilities see a surge in volume on Super Bowl Sunday, and specifically during the halftime show. Ultimately, Super Bowl Sunday is just a normal day for the MWRD. The MWRD’s seven water reclamation plants do not typically see a huge spike in our treatment volumes on Super Bowl Sunday because our basins are so large, and there is no fixed travel time that would result in increased flow. Also, many people are still glued to their televisions because they watch the halftime show. On the average day, these seven plants treat an average of 1.2 billion gallons of water with a maximum capacity of over 2 billion gallons. Read the Snopes article “MWRD, Forest Preserves partner in flood control study focused on southeast suburbs,” Daily Southtown The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and Forest Preserves of Cook County are partnering in a flood relief study in the southeast suburbs that could bring a new reservoir. The two agencies announced a 20-month study to assess the potential for the district and forest preserves coordinating and sharing costs for the planning, design, construction and maintenance of a Deer Creek-Third Creek Reservoir. If feasible, the system would provide naturalized stormwater storage for flood-prone communities in Glenwood, Ford Heights, Lansing, Thornton, South Holland, Calumet City, Dolton and unincorporated areas. The proposed project could cover nearly a square mile area along Deer Creek and Third Creek within the Little Calumet River Watershed near Glenwood and Ford Heights, where stormwater storage can help mitigate increasing flooding concerns, according to the MWRD and forest preserve district. Read the article MWRD staff publish research in Water Research Magazine MWRD Managing Engineer Jonathan Grabowy and Principal Environmental Scientist Joseph Kozak participated in a research project titled “Making waves: Rethinking our mission for N₂O emissions at WRRFs” that was recently published by Water Research Magazine. Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 273 times that of CO2, and it is a significant contributor to ozone depletion. Water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) have been identified as a major source of N₂O emissions, leading to significant research and policy efforts to mitigate these emissions. As WRRFs undertake these N2O mitigation efforts, important questions remain regarding the impact of more intensive nitrogen removal for pollution prevention and public health protection and how reactive nitrogen discharges are emitted as N₂O in receiving waterways. To answer these questions, this perspective highlights the importance of balancing facility-scale emission factors to estimate N₂O emissions from wastewater while considering the impacts of nitrogen if discharged to receiving water bodies. By considering the overall impact of nitrogen from wastewater on N₂O emissions from both WRRFs and receiving water bodies, WRRFs can reduce their impact on the environment while maintaining their important role in removing nitrogen from wastewater. Read the study MWRD receives Honor award from the American Council of Engineering Companies The MWRD received an Honor award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) for the Addison Creek Reservoir. ACEC is a federation of 51 state and metropolitan Member Organizations that advocate for America’s engineering companies and promote their essential value to society. Honor Awards are given for projects which are recognized for exceptional engineering that meet the needs of the client and benefit the public welfare. Black history is American history: Flag raisings, celebration of labor mark Black History Month and commitment to diversity at the MWRD The MWRD celebrated Black History Month with a flag raisings on February 3 and special evening event on February 20 to highlight this year’s theme, “African Americans and Labor.” This event honored the invaluable contributions of Black Americans in the workforce, underscoring the vital role labor has played in shaping their experiences and advancing progress throughout history. Watch the program here.   Dr. David A. Peterson Jr., president and executive director, A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum, served as the keynote speaker and shared insights on the legacy of African American labor movements, particularly the influence of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and their role in civil rights activism. He emphasized the importance of preserving and learning from Black labor history.   “The sacrifices and struggles of Black labor pioneers laid the foundation for many of the rights and protections workers enjoy today. It is our duty to honor their legacy by ensuring continued progress in workforce equity and economic justice,” said Dr. Peterson.   This year’s celebration also featured a panel of union leaders who provided insightful discussions on labor, diversity, and economic empowerment within Black communities: Irma Holloway, Chief Operating Officer, Phoenix CCI, and Executive Director for Black Contractors Owners and Executives, served as emcee and discussed the importance of creating pathways for Black entrepreneurs in construction and infrastructure industries. Fletcher J. Holmes, Jr., Business Agent/Political Director, Ironworkers Local 63, who addressed the challenges and opportunities for Black workers in skilled trades and the importance of union representation. Jonathan Jones, Director of Diversity, Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council, who spoke on diversity initiatives and programs aimed at increasing Black representation in carpentry and related fields. Marcus Jordan, DEIA Outreach Coordinator for Operating Engineers Local 150 and the Indiana Illinois Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting, who provided insights into workforce development and the role of unions in fostering equitable employment opportunities. Joe Wells, DE&I Business Representative, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 134, who emphasized the significance of apprenticeship programs and training opportunities for underrepresented groups. In the photo: MWRD commissioners honored speakers at the MWRD’s annual Black History Month event.  Front row (L-R): Irma Holloway, MWRD Commissioner Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Fletcher J. Holmes, Jr., MWRD President Kari K. Steele, Marcus Jordan, MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis, and Dr. David A. Peterson, Jr.   Back row (L-R): MWRD Commissioner Yumeka Brown, Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn, Jonathan Jones, MWRD Commissioner Sharon Waller and Joseph K. Wells. Emcee Irma Hollway lead a discussion with panelists Fletcher Holmes, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jordan and Joe Wells. Panelists represented Chicago-based unions, and they discussed the impact of African Americans on their organizations. The Shea Butta Band featuring Dawn Walker, vocalist, Davaughn Nicholas, and Marlen Bass performed the Black National Anthem to kick off the program. Images from the MWRD's Black History Month flag raising ceremonies on February 3, 2025 Watch the flag raising ceremony at the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building Commissioners, staff give update to Lyons Township officials   MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn, Commissioner Beth McElroy Kirkwood, and MWRD engineers joined Lyons Township leadership for an annual lunch and learn at the Township of Lyons offices in Countryside Feb. 19. The event allows District staff and leadership to present an overview about the District’s roles, responsibilities and latest initiatives to government area representatives. Other participants included Lyons Township Supervisor Chris Getty, Assessor Patrick Hynes, Clerk Elyse Hoffenberg, Highway Commissioner Sean McDermott, U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (6th Dist.) and town representatives.   Lyons Township is home to approximately 112,732. Its population is comprised of people living in 18 communities: Bedford Park, Bridgeview, Brookfield, Burr Ridge, Countryside, Hickory Hills, Hinsdale, Hodgkins, Indian Head Park, Justice, La Grange, La Grange Highlands, Lyons, McCook, Riverside, Summit, Western Springs and Willow Springs.    The District gave updates on TARP, stormwater management projects and Master Planning, Watershed Management Ordinance, rain barrels, Restore the Canopy trees, and other topics.  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 at the MWRD. We also participate in job fairs throughout the county 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 Final seasonal reminder to Salt Smart As the Chicago area looks to the end of its winter season, road salt used prudently continues to provide a stable, safer path along sidewalks, walkways, and streets. Road salt can provide safety, but it also has unwanted ramifications for the water environment. Rock salt (sodium chloride) and salt runoff can be harmful to pets, bodies of water and soil along roadways and sidewalks. In addition, excessive road salt can impact vegetation, as well as contaminate groundwater and drinking water. According to the Salt Smart Collaborative, chloride levels in northeastern Illinois rivers, lakes and wetlands have been on the rise for decades. The challenge with protecting Lake Michigan and the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS) is that road salt use increases with urban development, and the more development, the more miles of roads and walkways that need winter deicing. All that salt eventually makes its way to area waterways, and MWRD water reclamation plants cannot always filter it out before releasing it as clean water into the CAWS.  Follow these guidelines to protect the environment: Shovel first. Salt should only be used after the snow is removed and only in areas needed for safety. Size up. More salt does not mean more melting. A 12-ounce coffee mug of salt should be enough for a 20-foot driveway or 10 sidewalk squares (250 square feet). Spread. Distribute salt evenly, not in clumps. Clumped salt is wasted salt. Sweep. If there is leftover salt on the ground after the ice melts, then too much salt was used. Sweep up leftover salt to keep it out of local rivers and streams. Switch. Untreated salt stops working if the temperature is below 15 degrees. When temperatures drop that low, switch to sand for traction or choose a different deicer formulated for colder temperatures. Watch as NBC 5 Chicago shares this message, and watch the video by the Conservation Foundation. Learn more about road salt Keep medications out of our water environment Medications, whether they are prescribed or not, 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. Never flush unused medications down the drain or toss expired medicines in the garbage.  Take unused and expired medications to Cook County Prescription Drug Take Back Network locations. 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 and never sell them to others.  The MWRD is proud to play a role in collecting unwanted medicine and keeping our drains medicines 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 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. The public may drop off HHW 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. 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 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"   It's not too early to start planning for the Spring! Start a list of relatively easy projects that can you can do in the Spring to 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 you choose, the MWRD "Green Neighbor Guide" focuses on stormwater management projects that you can install on your property. 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. Read our Green Neighbor Guidel Rain Barrel discounts currently available 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 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 inperson group tour. Schedule a tour Schedule a speaker MWRD staff appreciate opportunities to share information and resources that can be used to help reduce flooding and improve water quality. We offer in-person and virtual presentations for all ages on subjects such as: 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, also known as the Deep Tunnel How wastewater treatment works Recovering resources from wastewater Stormwater management flood control  Green infrastructure What you can do to protect water quality and reduce flooding Please contact us to 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, career days, and STEM-related activities. 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 Historical Photo: A view to the northeast showing construction of a bridge at State Street over the Chicago River on June 2, 1902.    March 2025 Calendar About the photo: A monarch butterfly visits the flowers along the edge of Bubbly Creek on the South Branch of the Chicago River at Canal Origins Park 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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