| Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts | 2014 | The Interactive Multimedia Communicator Award for "National Save for Retirement Week Campaign" |
| Algae Biomass Organization | 2020 | Innovation Collaboration of the Year Award |
| American Academy of Environmental Engineers | 2012 | Excellence in Environmental Engineering Grand Prize for the University Research for Chicago Health, Environmental Exposure, and Recreation Study (CHEERS) |
| 2010 | Excellence in Environmental Engineering Honor Award in Research for the Microbial Risk Assessment for Recreational Use of the Chicago Area Waterways | |
| 1995 | Honor Award for the Sidestream Elevated Pool Aeration Stations | |
| 1989 | Grand Prize Award for Planning the Sidestream Elevated Pool Aeration Stations | |
| American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois | 2018 | Engineering Excellence Merit Award for the Mayfair Reservoir Expansion |
| 2017 | Special Achievement Water Resources Award for the Wescott Park Stormwater Storage Facility Project in the Village of Northbrook | |
| 2010 | Special Achievement Award for the Calumet Isolation Chamber | |
| American Infrastructure Magazine | 2016 | PUBBY Award for Water Project of the Year: Thornton Composite Reservoir |
| American Public Works Association | 2018 | Chicago Metro Chapter Suburban Branch: Public Works Project of the Year Award for the Niles Flood Relief Project |
| 2017 | Strategic Plan Award for Flood Control Project on Midlothian Creek in Robbins | |
| 2016 | Project of the Year (Environment, More than $75 Million) for the Thornton Composite Reservoir | |
| 2012 | Chicago City Branch: Project of the Year in the Environmental $25 to $75 Million Category for the design of the Calumet Central Boiler Facility | |
| Chicago Metro Chapter: Project of the Year in the Environmental $25 to $75 Million Category for the design of the Calumet Central Boiler Facility | ||
| Chicago Metro Chapter: Public Works Project Excellence Award for the design of the Calumet Central Boiler Facility | ||
| 2003 | Environmental Project of the Year, Over $10 Million Category, for the Thornton Transitional Reservoir | |
| 2000 | Reversal of the Chicago River, "Top Ten Public Works Projects of the Century" | |
| Tunnel and Reservoir Plan Phase I, one of the "Top Ten Chicago Area Public Works Projects of the 20th Century" | ||
| Tunnel and Reservoir Plan Phase I, Member's Choice for "Most Significant Chicago Area Public Works Projects of the 20th Century" | ||
| 1995 | The American Public Works Association Award for the District's Innovative Energy Audit and Control Program | |
| 1981 | Outstanding Public Works Project of the Year for the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan | |
| American Public Works Association, Chicago Metro Chapter | 2016 | Project of the Year (Environment, More than $75 Million) for the Thornton Composite Reservoir |
| Public Works Project Excellence Award for the Thornton Composite Reservoir | ||
| American Rivers, Incorporated | 1994 | Scientific or Engineering Breakthrough Award for the Calumet River System Sidestream Elevated Pool Aeration Project |
| American Society of Civil Engineers - Illinois Section | 2018 | Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award, Over $100 Million Category, for the McCook Reservoir |
| 2016 | Project of the Year (Higher than $25 Million) for Thornton Composite Reservoir | |
| Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award, Under $10 Million Category, for the Busse Reservoir South Dam Modification Project | ||
| Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award, Over $25 Million Category, for the Thornton Composite Reservoir | ||
| 2003 | Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement of the Year Award, Over $5 Million Category, for the Thornton Transitional Reservoir | |
| 2000 | District's wastewater treatment system was recognized as representing one of civil engineering's "Monuments of the Millennium" of the 20th century | |
| 1998 | Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award for the O'Hare-CUP Reservoir Project | |
| 1996 | Public Sector Employer Recognition Award | |
| 1994 | Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement received for Sidestream Elevated Pool Aeration Project | |
| 1986 | Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement received for Tunnel and Reservoir Plan | |
| Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement of Past 100 Years in Illinois for the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan | ||
| 1985 | Tunnel and Reservoir Plan Mainstream System, Phase I, the "Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement of 1985" | |
| 1974 | Special Civil Engineering Achievement Award received for the Prairie Plan in Fulton County | |
| American Society of Landscape Architects - Illinois Chapter | 2018 | Merit Award for Planning and Analysis for the Robbins Park Project |
| Black Contractors United | 1994 | Agency of the Year for Affirmative Action Program |
| Center for Active Design | 2015 | Excellence Award (Honorable Mention) for the Space to Grow program, a collaboration between the District, Chicago Public School Systems, and the City of Chicago Department of Water Management. Space to Grow was the only submission from Chicago to be recognized. Fellow award recipients span the globe |
| Chatham Business Association | 2015 | Partner Award |
| Chicago Federation of Labor-AFL CIO | 2001 | Michael J. Bruton Workplace Safety Award |
| Chicago Innovation | 2015 | Top 100 finalist in Chicago Innovation Awards for Space To Grow: Greening Chicago Schoolyards |
| Chicago Public Schools | 2011-2010 | Certificate of Appreciation for providing outstanding work-based learning experiences for Chicago Public School Career and Technical Education students through participation in the Work-Based Learning Program |
| Chicago Southland Convention and Visitor Bureau | 2009 | Hospitality Award of Merit for outstanding work on behalf of the Calumet-Sag Trail |
| Chicago Wilderness and United States Environmental Protection Agency | 2007 | Conservation and Native Landscaping Award for Native Prairie Restorations at the Lemont and North Side Water Reclamation Plants |
| City of Chicago | 2000 | Best Practices in expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities |
| Conservation Foundation & DuPage River Coalition | 2006-2005 | Clean Water Award for Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant |
| 2002 | DuPage River Clean Water Award | |
| Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) | 2015 | Public Body of the Year |
| Project of the Year - Infrastructure category for constructing the Wet Weather Treatment Facility and Reservoir at the Lemont Water Reclamation Plant | ||
| Consulting Engineers Council of Illinois | 1985 | Engineering Excellence Honor Award for the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan Mainstream System Phase I |
| Engineering News Record | 1999 | Construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in 1900 and Tunnel and Reservoir Plan in 1985 named as two of the top 125 engineering projects of the past 125 years |
| Environmental Systems Research Institute | 2019 | Special Achievement in Geographic Information System (SAG) Award |
| Federation of Women Contractors | 2016 | Outstanding Advocate Award |
| 2012 | Outstanding Program of the Year Award for the MWRD Affirmative Action Program | |
| 2007 | Advocacy Award for Affirmative Action Program | |
| Friends of the Chicago River | 2019 | Silver Ribbon Award with Army Corps of Engineers and Chicago Park District for North Branch Dam Removal Project |
| 2017 | Chicago River Blue Awards, Green Ribbon Award for the Wescott Park Stormwater Storage Facility Project in the Village of Northbrook | |
| 2016 | Chicago River Blue Awards, Green Ribbon Award for Disinfection at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant and O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant and Thornton Reservoir | |
| 2014 | Chicago River Blue Awards, Silver Ribbon Award for Space to Grow: Greening Chicago Schoolyards | |
| Funders Network | 2020 | Partners for Places Award for Space To Grow: Greening Chicago Schoolyards |
| Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada | 2020-1985 | Budget document recognized for Distinguished Budget Presentation |
| 2016 | Budget document received Special Performance Measures recognition | |
| 2015 | Budget document received outstanding in the overall category of Communications Device | |
| 2019-2007 | Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the MWRD Retiree Health Care Trust - Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Years 2007 through 2019 | |
| 2019-1975 | Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting - Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Years 1975 through 2019 | |
| 2019-1993 | Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the MWRD Retirement Fund - Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Years 1993 through 2019 | |
| 1999, 1996-1993 | Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting | |
| 1998-1988 | Budget document recognized as "Especially Notable" or "Outstanding" in various categories | |
| Illinois Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management | 2018 | Legislative Award for the Watershed Management Ordinance |
| 2017 | Flood Reduction Project Award for Floodway Buyouts in the Village of Glenview | |
| Innovation Project Award for Master Plan Pilot Study: Using Green Infrastructure to Solve Urban Flooding | ||
| 2016 | Flood Reduction Project Award for Large Project for the Thornton Composite Reservoir | |
| 2015 | Sustainability Award for the Space to Grow program for the redevelopment of four school properties using a variety of Best Management Practices for creating green space | |
| Illinois Department of Natural Resources | 2017 | Illinois Mined Land Reclamation Award in the non-coal category for the McCook Reservoir |
| 2016 | Illinois Mined Land Reclamation Award in the non-coal category for the Thornton Composite Reservoir | |
| Illinois Engineering Council | 2006 | Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award for Tunnel and Reservoir Plan Phase I |
| Illinois Environmental Protection Agency | 1994, 1983, 1981 | Certificate of Excellence Award for Wastewater Safety for James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant |
| 1993-1992 | Certificate of Excellence Award for Safety received by various treatment plants | |
| 1992-1987 | Certificate of Excellence Award for Wastewater Safety received by various treatment plants | |
| 1991-1988 | Letters of Commendation of Excellence on Maintenance, Operation, and Compliance for various treatment plants | |
| 1988 | Hanover Park Treatment Plant named Plant of the Year | |
| Illinois Safety Council and Greater Chicago Safety Council | 2007 | Safety and Health Outstanding Safety Performance Award for North Side and Calumet Water Reclamation Plants |
| Fleet and Transportation Outstanding Safety Performance Award - District-wide | ||
| 2006 | Safety and Health Outstanding Safety Performance Award for Calumet and Stickney Water Reclamation Plants | |
| 2005 | Safe Driving Award - District-wide, Fulton County Prairie Plan, Main Office Building, Main Office Building Annex, Lockport Powerhouse, John E. Egan, Hanover Park, James C. Kirie, Lemont, North Side, and Stickney Water Reclamation Plants | |
| Health and Safety Award for North Side Water Reclamation Plant | ||
| 2004, 2001 | Transportation Award for Outstanding Safety Performance - District-wide | |
| 2004 | Health and Safety Award - Fulton County Prairie Plan, James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant, Lawndale Avenue Solids Management Area, Racine Avenue Pumping Station, Main Office Building Annex, Lemont, North Side, and Stickney Water Reclamation Plants | |
| Outstanding Safety Performance Award | ||
| 2003 | Health and Safety Award - District-wide, Fulton County Prairie Plan, Lockport Powerhouse, Main Office Building, Main Office Building Annex, John E. Egan, Hanover Park, James C. Kirie, Lemont, and North Side Water Reclamation Plants | |
| 2003-2002 1996-1994 | Safety and Health Award for Outstanding Safety Performance | |
| 2002, 2000 | Outstanding Safety Performance in maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for its employees | |
| Illinois Society of Professional Engineers | 2010 | Chicagoland Excellence in Engineering Project Award, Mechanical Division, for the Calumet Central Boiler Facility |
| 1986 | MWRDGC System deemed one of the "Ten Outstanding Engineering Achievements in Illinois in the Last 100 Years" | |
| 1985 | Outstanding Engineering Accomplishment Award for the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan - Phase I System | |
| 1984 | Outstanding Engineering Accomplishment Award for Upper Salt Creek Watershed Floodwater Management Plan | |
| Illinois Water Environment Association | 2019 | Best Presentation Award: A Reduction in Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in Class A Biosolids by Open Composting |
| 2017 | Mariyana Spyropoulos, President, is the recipient of the Public Official of the Year award. The Public Official of the Year award is presented to an elected or appointed public official that has made a documented significant contribution in the areas of clean water legislation, public policy, government service, or another area of public prominence that resulted in improvements to the water environment | |
| 2016 | Best Presentation Award, "Biosolids Beneficial Reuse Programs: SWOT and PEST Evaluations to Ensure Sustainability" | |
| 2013 | Debra Shore, Commissioner, is the recipient of the inaugural Public Official of the Year award. The Public Official of the Year award is presented to an elected or appointed public official that has made a documented significant contribution in the areas of clean water legislation, public policy, government service, or another area of public prominence that resulted in improvements to the water environment | |
| 2010 | Best Technical Presentation Award: Protozoa as Indicators of Activated Sludge Treatment System Conditions | |
| 2008 | Best Technical Presentation Award: Concerns about Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Land Applied Biosolids - Media Hype or Reality? | |
| International Personnel Management Association | 1995 | Award for Excellence - Best personnel department in a medium-sized agency |
| Interstate Mining Compact Commission | 2017 | Kenes C. Bowling National Mine Reclamation Award for the McCook Reservoir |
| Lake Michigan Water Analysts | 1995 | Award of Excellence |
| Local Initiatives Support Corporation Chicago | 2018 | Neighborhood Development Award, in the category of: BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois Healthy Community, for the Space To Grow Partnership |
| Metropolitan Chicago Masonry Council | 1981 | "Excellence in Masonry '80" for James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant Masonry Design |
| Metropolitan Planning Council | 2018 | Burnham Award for Excellence in Planning for the Space to Grow Partnership |
| National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), formerly known as Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies | 2019 | NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for 28 consecutive years of full compliance for Calumet Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 23 consecutive years of full compliance for Lemont Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 15 consecutive years of full compliance for James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 14 consecutive years of full compliance for Terrence J. O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 12 consecutive years of full compliance for Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant; and Platinum Award for six consecutive years of full compliance for John E. Egan Water Reclamation Plant |
| National Environmental Achievement Award (NEAA) in the Operations & Environmental Performance Category | ||
| 2018 | NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for 27 consecutive years of full compliance for Calumet Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 22 consecutive years of full compliance for Lemont Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 14 consecutive years of full compliance for James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 13 consecutive years of full compliance for Terrence J. O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 11 consecutive years of full compliance for Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant; and Platinum Award for five consecutive years of full compliance for John E. Egan Water Reclamation Plant | |
| NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Silver Award for Stickney Water Reclamation Plant | ||
| 2017 | NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for 26 consecutive years of full compliance for Calumet Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 21 consecutive years of full compliance for Lemont Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 13 consecutive years of full compliance for James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 12 consecutive years of full compliance for Terrence J. O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant; and Platinum Award for 10 consecutive years of full compliance for Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant | |
| NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Gold Award for John E. Egan Water Reclamation Plant | ||
| NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Silver Award for Stickney Water Reclamation Plant | ||
| 2016 | NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for 25 consecutive years of full compliance for Calumet Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 20 consecutive years of full compliance for Lemont Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 12 consecutive years of full compliance for James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 11 consecutive years of full compliance for Terrence J. O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant; and Platinum Award for nine consecutive years of full compliance for Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant | |
| NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Gold Award for John E. Egan Water Reclamation Plant | ||
| NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Silver Award for Stickney Water Reclamation Plant | ||
| Utility of the Future Today Recognition | ||
| 2015 | NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for 24 consecutive years of full compliance for Calumet Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 19 consecutive years of full compliance for Lemont Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 11 consecutive years of full compliance for James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for ten consecutive years of full compliance for Terrence J. O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant; and Platinum Award for eight consecutive years of full compliance for Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant | |
| NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Gold Award for John E. Egan and Stickney Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| 2014 | Excellence in Management Platinum Award for excellence in utility management and successful implementation of programs that address the range of management challenges facing public wastewater utilities in today's competitive environment | |
| NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for 23 consecutive years of full compliance for Calumet Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 18 consecutive years of full compliance for Lemont Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for ten consecutive years of full compliance for James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for nine consecutive years of full compliance for Terrence J. O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant; and Platinum Award for seven consecutive years of full compliance for Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant | ||
| NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Gold Award for John E. Egan and Stickney Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| 2013 | NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for 22 consecutive years of full compliance for Calumet Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 17 consecutive years of full compliance for Lemont Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for nine consecutive years of full compliance for James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for eight consecutive years of full compliance for Terrence J. O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant; and Platinum Award for six consecutive years of full compliance for Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant | |
| NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Silver Award for John E. Egan and Stickney Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| Richard Lanyon, former Executive Director, was inducted into the Hall of Fame and became the fifth former District executive in its ranks. The other four are former Director of M&R Dr. Cecil Lue-Hing and former General Superintendents Bart Lynam, Hugh McMillan, and Ben Sosewitz | ||
| 2012 | NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for 21 consecutive years of full compliance for Calumet Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 16 consecutive years of full compliance for Stickney and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants; Platinum Award for eight consecutive years of full compliance for James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for seven consecutive years of full compliance for North Side Water Reclamation Plant; and Platinum Award for five consecutive years of full compliance for Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant | |
| NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Silver Award for John E. Egan Water Reclamation Plant | ||
| 2011 | NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for 20 consecutive years of full compliance for Calumet Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 15 consecutive years of full compliance for Stickney and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants; Platinum Award for seven consecutive years of full compliance for James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant; and Platinum Award for six consecutive years of full compliance for North Side Water Reclamation Plant | |
| NACWA Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Gold Award for Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant | ||
| NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Silver Award for John E. Egan Water Reclamation Plant | ||
| 2010 | NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for 19 consecutive years of full compliance for Calumet Water Reclamation Plant; Platinum Award for 14 consecutive years of full compliance for Stickney and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants; Platinum Award for six consecutive years of full compliance for John E. Egan and James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plants; and Platinum Award for five consecutive years of full compliance for North Side Water Reclamation Plant | |
| NACWA Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Gold Award for Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant | ||
| 2009 | NACWA Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Gold Award for Hanover Park and North Side Water Reclamation Plants | |
| NACWA Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for John E. Egan, James C. Kirie, Stickney, Calumet, and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| 2008 | National Environmental Achievement Award in Public Information and Education - Education Program category for "Mission Possible: Educating People to Promote Beneficial Use of Biosolids" | |
| NACWA Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Gold Award for John E. Egan, Hanover Park, James C. Kirie, and North Side Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for 17 consecutive years of full compliance for Calumet Water Reclamation Plant and Platinum Award for 12 consecutive years of full compliance for Stickney and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| 2007 | NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Silver Award for Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant | |
| NACWA Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for Stickney, Calumet, and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| NACWA Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Gold Award for James C. Kirie, John E. Egan, and North Side Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| 2006 | NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for Stickney, Calumet, and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants | |
| NACWA Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Gold Award for James C. Kirie, John E. Egan, Hanover Park, and North Side Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| 2005-2003 | Certificate of Recognition for Excellence in Management for excellence in utility management and successful implementation of programs that address the range of management challenges facing public wastewater utilities in today's competitive environment | |
| 2005 | NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Silver Award for North Side Water Reclamation Plant | |
| NACWA Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Gold Award for Stickney, Calumet, James C. Kirie, John E. Egan, Hanover Park, and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| 2004 | NACWA Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Gold Award for Stickney, Calumet, North Side, and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants | |
| NACWA Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Silver Award for James C. Kirie, John E. Egan, and Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| 2003 | Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Gold Award for Stickney, Calumet, North Side, Hanover Park, John E. Egan, James C. Kirie, and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants | |
| 2002 | Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for Hanover Park, North Side, and Calumet Water Reclamation Plants | |
| Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Gold Award for John E. Egan, James C. Kirie, Stickney, and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| 2001 | Research and Technology Award on "Biosolids as a Topsoil Substitute for the Germination and Growth of Turf, Forage, Prairie Grasses and Wild Flower Plants" | |
| National Environmental Achievement Award for Excellence in Research and Technology | ||
| Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Platinum Award for Stickney and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Silver Award for John E. Egan Water Reclamation Plant | ||
| Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Gold Award for Hanover Park, James C. Kirie, North Side, and Calumet Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| 2000 | Award for Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Silver Award for John E. Egan and James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plants | |
| Award for Full Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge System Permit Standards, Gold Award for Hanover Park, North Side, Stickney, Calumet, and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| 1999 | Gold Award for 100% Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge System Permit Standards - Stickney, Calumet, North Side, Hanover Park, John E. Egan, James C. Kirie, and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants | |
| National Environmental Achievement Award - Research and Technology for Optimization of Conventional Low Technology Sludge Process to Produce Class A Sludge | ||
| 1998 | Gold Award for 100% Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge System Permit Standards - Stickney, Calumet, North Side, Hanover Park, James C. Kirie, and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants | |
| 1997 | National Achievement Outstanding Operations Award to North Side Water Reclamation Plants for its Instrumentation Project | |
| Platinum Award for 100% Compliance for more than five years with National Pollutant Discharge System Permit Standards - Calumet and North Side Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| Gold Award for 100% Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge System Permit Standards - James C. Kirie, Lemont, and Stickney Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| Silver Award for 99.9% Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge System Permit Standards - John E. Egan and Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plants | ||
| 1993 | Outstanding Operations Award for Sidestream Pool Aeration Stations | |
| National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA) | 2016 | Green Infrastructure Award, First Place in the Large Agency Category for the Space to Grow Program |
| National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators | 2013, 2009 | Leadership Recognition Award of Distinction for National Save for Retirement Week Campaign |
| National Association of State Land Reclamationists (NASLR) | 2017 | Best Innovation Award in Mining Category for the McCook Reservoir Stage 2 |
| National Biosolids Partnership (Water Environment Federation and National Association of Clean Water Agencies) | 2018 | Ten-Year Platinum Award for the Dedication to Environmentally Sound Biosolids Management Practices |
| 2008 | Certificate of Achievement for meeting all the requirements for admittance and certification to the National Biosolids Partnership Environmental Management System Program | |
| National Institute of Governmental Purchasing | 2020-2003 | Outstanding Agency Accreditation Achievement Award |
| National Physical Plan Alliance | 2014 | Champion Award for the Space to Grow program for the collaborative efforts of the District, Chicago Public Schools, and the Department of Water Management in transforming Chicago's underused and outdated schoolyards into vibrant outdoor spaces that benefit students, communities and the environment |
| National Purchasing Institute | 2006-2005 | Achievement of Excellence in Procurement |
| National Society of Professional Engineers | 1985 | Outstanding Engineering Accomplishment Award for the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan - Phase I System |
| 1973 | Outstanding Engineering Achievements in the United States for the Brookfield LaGrange Rock Tunnel | |
| Risk & Insurance Magazine | 2016 | Honorable Mention in the national Theodore Roosevelt Workers' Competition and Disability Management (TEDDY) Award competition for excellence in safety and workers' compensation risk management |
| Rotary Club of Naperville | 2016 | Paul Harris Award |
| Storm Water Solutions Magazine | 2017 | Top 10 Stormwater Project for Space to Grow |
| 2016 | Top 10 Stormwater Project for the Blue Island Green Infrastructure Project | |
| Structural Engineers Association of Illinois | 1985 | Honor Award for the Structural-Geotechnical Design of the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan Mainstream Pumping Station |
| United States Department of Defense | 2003 | Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Achievement through Value Engineering |
| United States Environmental Protection Agency | 2017 | Honorable Mention of the Phosphorus Recovery System for Excellence and Innovation within the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program |
| 2008 | Exemplary Biosolids Management Award - First Place in the Public Acceptance Category | |
| 2004 | National Second Place Clean Water Act Recognition Award, James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant, for Outstanding Operations and Maintenance, Large Advanced Plant | |
| 2003 | Certificate of Recognition as a Clean Water Partner for the 21st Century | |
| 1998 | Designation of the Chicago River as "One of the 25 Outstanding Success Stories in the Nation on the Occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act" | |
| 1996 | Award of Excellence for First Place in Category Five in the National Pretreatment Program | |
| 1995 | National Pretreatment Award recognizing excellence in the administration of the District's Pretreatment Program | |
| 1994 | National First Place Award recognizing the District's Outstanding Combined Sewer Overflow Control Program | |
| Award for Excellence in Maintenance and Operations Category in Region V as the Best Large Advanced Plant - James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant | ||
| 1993 | Second Place for Outstanding Treatment Facility by Stickney and John E. Egan Water Reclamation Plants in the Area of Maintenance and Operations | |
| 1992 | North Side Treatment Plant named "Best in the Midwest" for Municipal Pollution Control | |
| Affirmative Action Program named "Best in the Country" | ||
| 1991 | Special Award for Sustained Outstanding Long-Term Contribution to the Beneficial Use of Sludge at the Prairie Plan, Fulton County | |
| Award for the Affirmative Action Program | ||
| United States Green Building Council | 2015 | Best of Green Schools Award for Collaboration, Space to Grow Partnership |
| 2014 | Emerald Award for the Space to Grow Program in the Chapter Mission category recognizes the impact collaborations can have in building better, brighter, and healthier spaces to live, learn, and work | |
| United States Minority Contractor Association | 2019 | Legacy Award for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion |
| United States Patent and Trademark Office | 2020 | Patent for Production of Carbon-Based Compounds from Cellulosic Feedstock Fermentation; Application Number 62/965,592 |
| Water and Wastes Digest | 2016 | Thornton Composite Reservoir, one of the "Top Projects for 2016 Award" |
| Water Environment Federation | 2020 | Utility of the Future Today Recognition |
| Public Communication & Outreach Program Award | ||
| Ralph Fuhrman Medal for Outstanding Water Quality Academic-Practice Collaboration | ||
| 2018 | Project Excellence Award for the McCook Reservoir | |
| 2017 | Project Excellence Award for the Nutrient Recovery Facility at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plan | |
| Water Quality Improvement Award for the Calumet Tunnel and Reservoir Plan | ||
| Schroepfer Innovative Facility Design Medal for the Calumet Tunnel and Reservoir Plan | ||
| 1999-1989 | Award for Outstanding Achievement in Water Quality Improvement | |
| 1992 | Recognition for the Solids Dewatering Prototype at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant | |
| Water Environment Research Foundation | 2013 | Award for Excellence in Innovation |
| Waterfront Center | 2008 | Excellence on the Waterfront Award for Sidestream Elevated Pool Aeration Project |