Skip to main content

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Logo

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Recovering Resources, Transforming Water

Strategic Plan

Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) Reservoir Levels

Loading reservoir data…

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago's Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP)  is designed to reduce flooding, improve water quality in Chicago area waterways and protect Lake Michigan from pollution caused by sewer overflows. 

Street flooding and basement backups can still occur even when there is plenty of room in TARP. If small neighborhood sewers don’t have the capacity to carry water to the MWRD’s intercepting sewers or TARP tunnels, they may back up.  

If TARP is full, neighborhood sewers are designed to overflow to waterways.  

Learn more about the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan

Tow engineers discussing project plants with detailed documents on the wall

Join our team! 

We are accepting applications now for a wide range of job categories. 

 

Find out more

Recent News Releases

June 9, 2026

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

June 2, 2026

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.

June 2, 2026

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.

June 2, 2026

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

Projects

The MWRD's Harvey Central Park Stormwater Detention Basin project will provide flood relief for the city of Harvey. This project will reduce flooding to approximately 209 homes during a 100-year storm event.

The 600-acre-foot Addison Creek Reservoir will hold 195 million gallons of storage capacity and connect with the Addison Creek Channel to protect the communities from overbank flooding.

The MWRD’s Robbins Heritage Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration Project will help address overbank flooding through a new stormwater park and pond, along with improvements to Midlothian Creek and an overflow channel that connects to the Cal-Sag Channel.

The MWRD worked with the village of Mount Prospect to transform two beautiful park spaces that can now accommodate more stormwater and protect the community from flooding, while also giving the residents a place to gather and play.

Calendar of Events

Jun

15

Juneteenth Flag Raising 2026

10:00am - 10:30am
Monday, June 15, 2026

Jun

16

Lansing Farmers Market

9:00am - 1:00pm
Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Jun

16

Virtual Tour

2:00pm - 3:15pm
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Virtual
Register

Join Our Community

Follow us on social media for historical photos and a firsthand view of our work to reduce flooding and protect water quality.

Stay Informed

Sign Up for our email list

Keep up to date with the latest news
and resources related to the MWRD.

Read our monthly newsletter