Showcasing its leadership in advancing stormwater solutions and public education, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) has earned the prestigious Grand Prize from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES). The award, presented in the Environmental Communications Awards category, recognizes the MWRD’s standout publication, “Green Infrastructure Community Guide: Stormwater Strategies for Resilient Neighborhoods.”

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago will commemorate America’s Semiquincentennial by implementing a special tree planting initiative that honors the nation’s 250th anniversary while advancing the MWRD’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Following a Pride Flag raising and ceremony at its McGowan Main Office building and seven water reclamation plants in observance of Pride Month, the MWRD held a program that highlighted the role of resilience and unity.

In the Chicago and Calumet rivers and related canals, contaminants such as ammonia decreased. A wide variety of fish came back or became more abundant in sampling.

Board meetings are open to the public and can be streamed online.

This was the third of three open houses the MWRD hosted this May at its water reclamation plants, giving all ages of visitors a tour, presentations and activities that educated them on the wide variety of innovation and sustainable practices used to protect and improve area water resources.