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.

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.

Located on the north bank of the Chicago River at McClurg Court, the fountain was originally constructed in 1989 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the MWRD’s establishment.

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

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

The MWRD will raise the Pride flag and host a noon program at the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building. The flag will also be raised at all seven water reclamation plants.

Guests took home free oak tree saplings, milkweed and native wildflower seeds to support stormwater management and the lifecycle of the monarch butterfly and other pollinators.

The fountain is named after Nicholas J. Melas, a former MWRD commissioner elected in 1962 and who remained with the MWRD for 30 years, serving as president for 18 years.

Guests of all ages may take an abbreviated tour of the plant, meet with MWRD staff for interactive activities and take home free oak tree saplings, milkweed and native wildflower seeds to support stormwater management.

MWRD Commissioners and staff met with key Illinois state legislators, focusing on ways to strengthen the MWRD’s capacity to manage stormwater, advance wastewater treatment, and boost overall operational efficiency in managing the flow of water for Chicago and 128 municipalities that the MWRD serves.