MWRD FLOW - November 2026
For the Love of Water (FLOW) is the MWRD's monthly news summary.
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Upcoming Events
MWRD Board of Commissioners to meet November 5 and 19 at 10:30 a.m.
The MWRD Board of Commissioners will hold its Regular Board Meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 5 and Thursday, November 19.
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, then 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.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony at Burnham Elementary School
At 10 a.m. on November 9, 2026, the MWRD will join Burnham Elementary School Superintendent Stephen Geraci, the Board of Education of School District 154.5 and village of Burnham for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the District's first suburban green schoolyard at 13945 S. Greenbay Ave. in Burnham. Following more than a decade of successful Chicago Public School schoolyard transformations through the Space to Grow™ program, the MWRD set out to establish a similar program that builds resilience at suburban schoolyards that gives students a new place to play while helping to mitigate flooding for the school and neighbors. The project features a new turf field, running track, playground area, basketball and multi-use sport courts, an infiltration trench, and native plants. In total, these new permeable surface areas provide enough stormwater storage to retain 253,820 gallons each time it rains.
Virtual Tour
Two Space to Grow™ ribbon-cuttings scheduled
The 44th and 45th schoolyards transformed by the Space to Grow™ partnership will be celebrated. On Nov. 12 at 9:30 a.m. the ribbon will be cut at Amelia Earhart Elementary School, 1710 E 93rd St., Chicago, and on Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. the ribbon will be cut at Jane Addams Elementary School, 10810 S Ave. H., Chicago.
Earhart School's grounds will be able to hold 150,210 gallons per rain event and Addams yard will hold 1,836,585 gallons per rain event.
2nd Annual Government to Government meeting set for November 18
Local and state leaders are invited to join the MWRD and the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources Wed., November 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the 2nd annual Government to Government Workshop to be held at the Town of Cicero Community Center, 4936 W. 23rd St., Cicero. This workshop is designed to strengthen intergovernmental coordination across local, county, and state agencies.
Participants will discuss communication protocols, points of contact, and procedures to follow before, during and after flooding events to enhance community preparedness and response. Other participants include representatives from the IL Dept. of Public Health, IL EPA, IL Dept. of Insurance, IL Emergency Management Agency, Cook County Emergency Management, and more.
Monitoring and Research Seminar set for November 20
On Friday, November 20 at 10:30 a.m., MWRD Principal Civil Engineer Jack Chan and Senior Civil Engineer George Velez will discuss "Robbins Stormwater Park: From Concept to Completion."
Register to attend in person by emailing MnRSeminars@mwrd.org or call (708) 588-4264. Visit here on November 20 for the seminar link.
Principal Civil Engineer Jack Chan
Senior Civil Engineer George Velez
MWRD in the News
Groundbreaking held on Battery E at O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant
Representing one of the largest investments that the MWRD has made for a single project in its 137-year history, the MWRD broke ground Oct. 8 on the nearly $400 million construction of a new battery of infrastructure at its Terrence J. O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant (OWRP). The ceremony marked a major milestone in the modernization of the nearly century-old facility in Skokie that works each day to protect water quality for over 1.3 million people. The groundbreaking was attended by MWRD President Steele, Vice President Flynn, Commissioners Precious Brady-Davis, Cam Davis, Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Eira Corral Sepúlveda, Sharon Waller and representatives from federal, state and local government, including former Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, U.S. EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel, Illinois State Rep. Kevin Olickal, Skokie Mayor Ann Tennes and Michels Construction Vice President Josh Senk.
The scheduled four-year Battery E project will include new aeration tanks, final settling tanks, ancillary structures and supporting equipment, along with an advanced biological process designed to significantly reduce phosphorus in treated wastewater before it is returned to the North Shore Channel.
Since opening in 1929, O'Brien has treated wastewater from surrounding communities before returning treated water to the North Shore Channel. Today, the facility faces new challenges, including changing flows and weather patterns, emerging pollutants and excessive nutrients in wastewater.
Green infrastructure improvements completed at Larry Robb Park, Countryside
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Oct. 29 to celebrate the completion of green infrastructure improvements at Larry Robb Park at 10701 E. 5th Ave. The project included the installation of two rain gardens and construction of a permeable parking lot. The project is expected to capture over 28,000 gallons of stormwater per rain event.
Space to Grow™ partners celebrate completion of two schoolyard transformations
George Washington High School, 3535 E 114th St., (pictured on the left) and Moos Elementary School, 1711 N California Ave., both in Chicago, were the two most recent schools to unveil new schoolyards thanks to Space to Grow™ partners. This brings the total number of schoolyard transformations to 43 since 2014.
The Washington schoolyard can hold 268,717 gallons per rain event and the Moos schoolyard can hold 262,230 gallons per rain event. MWRD President Kari K. Steele along with Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn, Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis and Commissioner Beth McElroy Kirkwood represented the MWRD at these events.
14th Annual Sustainability Summit held in Cicero
The MWRD's 14th Annual Sustainability Summit was held on October 22 at the Town of Cicero Community Center in Cicero, IL.
Approximately 150 attendees learned about community initiatives and connected with others who are working to build resilient and healthy neighborhoods.
Presenters included:
- Nedra Sims Fears, Executive Director, The Greater Chatham Initiative
- Suzanne Malec-McKenna, Director, Cook County Dept. of Environment and Sustainability
- Holly Sauter, Principal Civil Engineer, Stormwater Section, MWRD
- Tom Tomschin, Director of Housing, Town of Cicero
- Eleanor Sweeney, Executive Director, Collective Learning Lab
The Summit also recognized several communities and organizations for their leadership in advancing sustainability, improving stormwater management, and promoting environmental education. The Village of River Grove received the Outstanding Commitment to Sustainability Award for installing a permeable parking lot at Village Hall. The Forest Preserves of Cook County earned the Excellence in Stormwater Management Award for partnering with the District to remove excess pavement and restore land to natural conditions, efforts that reduce stormwater runoff and reconnect fragmented habitats. The Village of Niles was honored with the Excellence in Maintaining Green Infrastructure Award for its continued care of a 2017 installation featuring native plantings and permeable concrete. The Village of La Grange Park was also recognized for its innovative use of permeable intersections and its commitment to forward-thinking stormwater solutions. Collective Learning Lab received the Excellence in Public Education award.
Staff, commissioners participate in 99th Annual Water Environment Federation and Technical Exhibition Conference (WEFTEC)
The MWRD had a strong presence at WEFTEC in New Orleans this year, highlighted by several major accomplishments and recognitions. Our Second City Sewer Crew earned third place in the Division 1 Collections Event, the competition's most advanced and challenging division. The MWRD received its third Utility of the Future award, underscoring our continued dedication to sustainability, service, and forward-thinking utility management. President Kari K. Steele was honored with the Public Officials Award, recognizing her leadership and commitment to the water sector. She also shared her insights on innovation and utility leadership at the Leading Utilities of the World event. Allison Fore, Public and Intergovernmental Affairs Officer, received the Public Communications and Outreach Community Chairperson Award for her contributions to public engagement and education.
Resources
Rain barrels for sale
Discounted rain barrel pricing is in effect. Cook County residents may purchase up to two rain barrels for $22.30 each, including tax and delivery. Barrels are $11.15 each for residents age 65 and older.
Rain barrels are available to residents of Cook County through the MWRD website. Rain barrels capture rainwater from your roof for later use. They 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.
- Include instructions, a leaf and mosquito filter screen, a flexible downspout connector, a spigot/tap and an overflow hose.
- Include free delivery.
Flood Response Resource Guide
MWRD's Flood Response Resource Guide provides practical steps for residents to follow before, during and after a flood. The guide is available at mwrd.org and hard copies are available by emailing public.affairs@mwrd.org. The guide also lists key agencies, local resources and contact information to help those impacted recover more quickly. This tool is designed to make it easier for residents to find reliable information when they need it most.
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. Our website will indicate when an Overflow Action Day Alert ends.
Join Our Team!
Are you looking for a new career?
If so, visit our online employment center 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. These videos can be found on the MWRD YouTube page.
Stormwater partnerships available for local government
The MWRD can help local government organizations pay for the construction of stormwater infrastructure on public property in Cook County.
The program funds projects that address flooding through a variety of traditional engineering solutions including localized detention, upsizing critical storm sewers and culverts, pumping stations, establishing drainage ways and green infrastructure. This infrastructure can reduce flooding and prevent damage to homes and businesses.
Throughout the year, the MWRD reviews applications and prioritizes projects for partnerships. The selected partner is responsible for project design, contract advertisement and award, acquiring necessary property rights, construction and long-term maintenance. There are four partnership programs offered on a regular basis.
Stormwater Central: Online portal maps stormwater management storage progress
A new hub for mapping data and insight into the work of the MWRD Stormwater Management Program is live and accessible to the public.
Available at this link, the new site provides a window into the MWRD's stormwater management work in building resilience across Cook County. The interactive portal serves as an integrated hub for mapping data, project information and insights into how the MWRD is working to reduce flooding and manage stormwater across Cook County.
The hub includes the Stormwater Project and Data Explorer, which maps data on past and ongoing MWRD stormwater management projects. Visitors can learn more about projects occurring in their communities or across Cook County, assess stormwater volume capture, review MWRD goals for capturing more volume and track progress as projects are implemented across watersheds.
Since 2004, the MWRD has served as the regional authority for stormwater management in Cook County. As the impacts of climate change intensify, the MWRD has overseen a countywide effort to manage stormwater runoff, reduce flooding, improve the health of area waterways and protect the source of drinking water in Lake Michigan.
Over that time, the MWRD has implemented new policies, strategies and partnerships to manage increasingly intense and unpredictable storms. In just over a decade since receiving local authority in 2014, the MWRD has completed more than 230 projects that protect more than 17,000 homes, businesses and other buildings from flooding.
Local governments and public agencies in Cook County can apply to the MWRD for help funding stormwater projects. The portal documents this growing map of projects after years of meticulous data management. Additional data is available upon request.
Keep medications out of our water!
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:
- Never flush unused medications down the drain or toss them 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 and 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
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 firefighting 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 or 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.
Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collections
- 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. It does not accept business or commercial 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.
Doing Business with the MWRD
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@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 water
Read our "Green Neighbor Guide"
It's never too soon 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.
Restore the Canopy tree program comes to a close for the season
The MWRD Restore the Canopy, Plant a Tree program has closed for the season and will resume in April 2027. In 2026, the MWRD distributed 5,734 native oak saplings to residents, schools, and community organizations across Cook County, helping to expand tree canopy, support wildlife habitat, and promote environmental stewardship.
As the MWRD implements its 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, the tree sapling program will continue to grow through expanded partnerships with municipalities, schools, libraries, and community organizations. By increasing access to native trees and connecting residents to the benefits of urban forestry, the program will play an important role in advancing the MWRD's goals of environmental sustainability, community engagement, and flood resilience.
Tour an MWRD facility
Each year, the MWRD's 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 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
- 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 connects with residents across Cook County at back-to-school celebrations, environmental expos, farmers markets, municipal events, career days and more.
At every stop, our team brings hands-on activities and eye-catching educational materials for all ages, inviting visitors to explore how we protect our waterways, manage essential infrastructure and champion a cleaner, healthier environment. We also share simple, everyday tips that empower residents to improve local water quality from their own homes and in their neighborhoods.
Green infrastructure resource guide for local government leaders available
The MWRD has created a "Green Infrastructure Community Guide" which aims to help communities manage stormwater through green infrastructure techniques that employ natural solutions to mitigate flooding and improve water quality.
This guide equips municipal leaders, planners, public works directors, engineers, staff and other decision makers with valuable information, resources and guidance for incorporating green infrastructure into their communities to better manage stormwater.
What's the difference between the MWRD and Chicago Department of Water Management?
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD)
The MWRD is a regional independent government agency responsible for treating wastewater and managing stormwater for Chicago and 128 municipalities. It is governed by a 9-member Board of Commissioners, each of whom is elected countywide in Cook County. The MWRD's key functions include:
- Treating wastewater from households, businesses and industries
- Operating water reclamation plants and large intercepting sewers
- Providing large-scale stormwater and flood-control services, including the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP or "Deep Tunnel")
- Partnering with communities within Cook County on stormwater and green infrastructure projects
- Managing waterways and protecting regional water quality
The MWRD does not provide drinking water.
Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM)
The DWM is a municipal department of the City of Chicago focused on drinking water delivery and sewer and stormwater services within the City of Chicago. A commissioner appointed by the Mayor of Chicago leads the department.
Extras
MWRD Historical Photo
A view to the southwest showing the southern abutment for the California Avenue Bridge over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in Chicago on March 28, 1924. The bridge was completed in 1926.
November 2026 Calendar
Amoebae are naturally present organisms that support successful wastewater treatment process and water clarity by consuming organic matter, bacteria and settling solids in WRP tanks; this one is shedding its shell.
