The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) has captured billions of gallons of stormwater that have fallen across Cook County during multiple waves of storms. According to the National Weather Service, the latest storm event had rainfall amounts that ranged from approx. 3 inches at O’Hare International Airport, approx 2 inches at Midway International Airport, and nearly 2.5 inches in southern Cook County.

We know that many residents across our communities have experienced significant flooding during these recent waves of heavy rain. These weather events have been challenging, and our thoughts are with all who are dealing with the impacts.

With heavy rain expected in the Chicago area today, the MWRD encourages area residents and business owners to reduce water use during and after the storm to help prevent flooding and protect water quality:

The MWRD is managing flow from this past weekend's storms

The City of Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) and the MWRD will showcase construction of an innovative pilot of a wing storage unit designed to help mitigate flooding by collecting and storing stormwater in this flood prone area.

The MWRD partnered with the City of Chicago to fund the construction of $12 million in underground stormwater storage facilities designed to help mitigate flooding for West Side residents and build capacity for local sewers to capture rainfall during intense storms.

Commemorating America’s Semiquincentennial, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) launched a special tree planting initiative that honored the nation’s 250th anniversary while advancing the MWRD’s commitment to environmental stewardship. As part of this effort, the MWRD will plant 250 trees on MWRD property throughout 2026.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) has been working around the clock to capture billions of gallons of stormwater that have fallen across Cook County during recent storm events.

Public comment period is open for MWRD’s draft 2026–2030 Strategic Plan; deadline is July 24

With impending rain, the MWRD encourages area residents and business owners to reduce water use during and after the storm to help prevent flooding and protect water quality.