MWRD FLOW - May 2025
For the Love of Water (FLOW) is the MWRD monthly news summary.
In this edition:
Upcoming Events
MWRD Board of Commissioners May meetings
Thursday, May 1 and 15, 10:30 a.m.
The MWRD Board of Commissioners will hold its Regular Board Meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 1 and Thursday, May 15.
Public comments may be made at the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building, 100 E. Erie Street, Chicago, during the Public Comment period.
An "In Progress" link under the Video Column will be active when there is a meeting in session. Closed captioning is available.
Monthly Virtual Tour set for Thursday, May 8 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 Thursday, May 8 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!
Calumet Water Reclamation Plant to host open house and tours 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 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. Stop by without advanced reservations to learn how we are recovering resources and transforming water.
All ages are welcome. Please wear closed-toe shoes.
Season Opening of the Melas Centennial Fountain set for May 15 at 2 p.m.
Join the MWRD and Chicago's 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly as we celebrate the season opening of the Nicholas J. Melas Centennial Fountain on Thursday, May 15 at 2 p.m.
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.
Ribbon-cutting ceremonies to be held at Space to Grow schools
Two Space to Grow ribbon-cutting ceremonies have been scheduled.
The first will be held on Monday, May 19 at 10 a.m. 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.
The second ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at Spencer Elementary Technology Academy, 214 N. Lavergne Ave. in the Austin neighborhood, on Friday, May 30 at 10 a.m. Spencer Academy can hold up to 190,872 gallons of stormwater per rain event. The schoolyard, which was mostly comprised of asphalt, was converted into a track and artificial turf field, volleyball court, basketball court, porous playground surfacing, nature play area, rain gardens, outdoor classroom, and permeable paver walkways.
MWRD to host Asian American and Pacific Islander Month event on May 22
On Thursday, May 22, 2025, at noon – 1 p.m., the MWRD will celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Month in the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building, 100 E. Erie Street, Chicago.
The featured speaker is Ernest C. Wong, founder and principal of Site Design Group. Ernest has been instrumental in the evolution of the firm as a multi-cultural cutting-edge design entity and fostering the landscape architecture profession in Chicago. In managing the firm for 35 years, Wong and Site Design Group have established a reputation for creative design solutions, and developing thoughtful, community-oriented urban spaces.
A strong proponent of civic and community engagement, he sits on the board of numerous service organizations and professional juries including the Driehaus Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design, City Parks Alliance, and as the Chair of the Chicago Landmarks Commission. In 2021, Ernest was awarded the ASLA Community Service Award and the Daniel H. Burnham Distinguished Service Award from the Lambda Alpha International Land Economics Society Ely Chapter.
Monitoring and Research Monthly Seminar set for Friday, May 30 at 10:30 a.m.
"Achieving Nutrient Efficiency and Improving Treatment Capacity through Source Separation"
On Friday, May 30 at 10:30 a.m., Nancy Love, Ph.D., Professor, University of Michigan, will discuss "Achieving Nutrient Efficiency and Improving Treatment Capacity through Source Separation."
In person: Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, Lue-Hing R&D Complex, 6001 West Pershing Rd., Cicero, IL. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance by emailing Dr. Heng Zhang at zhangH@mwrd.org or call (708) 588-4264 or (708) 588-4059.
Virtual: Go to Seminars and Presentations on January 31 for the link to access the seminar.
For additional information, please contact Dr. Heng Zhang, Assistant Director of Monitoring and Research, at (708) 588-4264 or (708) 588-4059.
The seminar is eligible for Professional Development Credits/CEUs.
Open House and Tour at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant set for Saturday, August 2
Join us for an open house and tour 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.
MWRD's 2025 Small Business Summit scheduled for September 9
MWRD in the News
MWRD leaders meet with state legislators in Springfield to discuss initiatives
As climate challenges continue to reshape the environmental landscape, leaders from the MWRD traveled to the state capitol recently to present their legislative priorities. These initiatives include sustainable strategies aimed at protecting and improving the water environment for communities across Cook County.
MWRD Commissioners and staff met with key Illinois state legislators, focusing on ways to strengthen the District’s capacity to manage stormwater, advance wastewater treatment, and boost overall operational efficiency. The Board engaged in productive conversations with IL Gov. JB Pritzker, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (7th District), Senate Minority Leader John F. Curran (41st District), and House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (89th District), among others. The Illinois General Assembly created the MWRD (then-Sanitary District of Chicago) in 1889.
The MWRD and members of the Illinois General Assembly meet each year to consider ways to work together to help the MWRD address a changing climate and deal with new challenges in protecting the region’s water environment. This year, House Bill 1158, sponsored by state Rep. Kim Du Buclet (5th Dist.), former MWRD vice president and commissioner, would provide the MWRD with the financial flexibility needed to fund critical stormwater and wastewater projects that improve the quality of life throughout Cook County.
Another priority, House Bill 2391, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl (57th Dist.), focuses on water sustainability by incorporating industrial water reuse into the Environmental Protection Act. This initiative aims to promote conservation and reduce waste, reinforcing the MWRD’s commitment to environmental stewardship. All MWRD bills successfully passed out of the Illinois House.
MWRD dedicates disinfection facility at O'Brien WRP in honor of Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, former President and Commissioner
A trailblazer in water stewardship, former MWRD Commissioner, Chairman of Finance and President Mariyana T. Spyropoulos championed transformative initiatives, including the implementation of disinfection at the O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) — an effort that significantly improved the health of the Chicago River system.
Her leadership strengthened the MWRD’s mission to protect public health and preserve natural resources for future generations. For her 15 years of work on the Board, the disinfection facility at the O’Brien WRP was dedicated in her name during a ceremony that took place on April 25 at the O’Brien WRP, located at 3500 Howard Street, Skokie.
Four decades of distinguished budgets and excellence in financial reporting: GFOA honors MWRD accounting and finances
Stable finances and budgeting have yet again earned the MWRD the highest form of recognition in accounting and financial reporting by state and local governments.
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada recognized the MWRD with a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2024 Budget and Certificates of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the MWRD, the MWRD Retirement Fund and to the MWRD Retiree Health Care Trust for the Fiscal Year 2023.
The MWRD has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 40 consecutive years. The MWRD has also received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 49 consecutive years, placing the MWRD in the top 2 percent of governments receiving a consecutive award.
MWRD President Kari K. Steele speaks to WGN 720's Karen Conti
On April 6, MWRD President Kari K. Steele joined WGN 720 AM's Karen Conti in the studio to highlight what the MWRD does to protect the waterways of Chicago, including treating wastewater and managing stormwater. Listen to the program.
German delegation visits Stickney WRP
MWRD President Kari K. Steele, Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn and MWRD engineers and scientists welcomed water experts and industry professionals from Germany through the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, Inc. for a roundtable discussion, presentations and tours of our Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, Mainstream Pumping Station and McCook Reservoir. International collaborations and learning exchanges like this improve our water resources, infrastructure and help preserve our planet.
Resources
Sign up for Overflow Action Alert text messages
Sign up to receive Overflow Action Alert text messages. When we announce an Overflow Action 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.
Join Our Team!
Are you seeking a new job?
If so, visit our online employment center 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. The videos can be found on the MWRD YouTube page.
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
What is the key to pollution prevention when it comes to are 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 often called “forever chemicals.” PFAS are in commercial, consumer, and industrial products and 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 (WRPs) do not produce nor use PFAS but are passive receivers of these chemicals 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.
Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Dispose of your household chemicals responsibly and recycle your old computers.
The public may drop them 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 help unload your vehicle and accept your materials. Materials should not be left outside the facility unattended. Scheduled business hours are:
- Tuesdays 7 am - Noon
- Thursdays 2 pm - 7 pm
- The first Saturday of every month 8 am - 3 pm
Doing Business with the MWRD
New! 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 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. Sign up for a weekly email listing new contract announcements by emailing forea@mwrd.org.
Please report waterway blockages, suspicious dumping to waterways or sewers, or odors.
Call 800-332-DUMP (3867) or in Spanish 855-323-4801
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.
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.
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. These must be planted within a matter of days for premium viability.
Learn more about our Restore the Canopy sapling program
Tour an MWRD facility
Each year, our seven water reclamation plants process approximately 450 billion gallons of wastewater. With a daily treatment capacity exceeding 2 billion gallons, the MWRD plays a critical role in protecting our region’s water quality. Learn more about the work of the MWRD on our YouTube channel, watch a virtual tour, or schedule an in-person group tour.
Schedule a speaker
The MWRD offers 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 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.
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.
Extras
Historical Photo of the Month
The 8 Track Rail Bridge and marine vessels on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, looking west from the Western Ave bridge on August 6, 1923. The area is now home to the Richard J. Daley Park and boat launch.
May 2025 Calendar
A patch of flowers welcomes canoers from the banks of the North Branch of the Chicago River near Argyle Street in Chicago.
