Commissioners and staff at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) welcomed almost 200 visitors to the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant to tour and learn more about the critical work done to protect the region’s water environment.

Built in 1922, the Calumet facility is the MWRD’s first modern comprehensive treatment plant, treating up to 430 million gallons per day for about 1 million people living on the Far South Side of Chicago and 48 surrounding south suburbs. 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. 

“I’m extremely grateful to those that joined us for the Calumet Open House,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “Having started my career as an intern at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant, I saw firsthand the MWRD’s commitment to protecting our water resources and environment. What an amazing experience it was opening our doors to share that with the public.”

Nearly 1,000 visitors of all ages, including almost 200 at the Calumet WRP, took home a new understanding and appreciation for the work of the MWRD at its three open houses and tours

Calumet serves a 300-square-mile area of residents and businesses in the southern portion of Cook County. The MWRD’s 184 miles of intercepting sewers connect local sewers to the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant. After treating the region’s wastewater and converting it into clean water, the water flows downstream west to the Little Calumet River before reaching the Cal-Sag Channel, which the MWRD constructed in 1922 to coincide with the Calumet facility. 

The tour and interactive programming with scientists, engineers and MWRD partners allowed all ages to go behind the scenes and learn how the MWRD transforms wastewater into clean water to protect the region’s environment. 

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. Guests also dropped off unwanted medicine as part of the MWRD’s collection campaign to keep pharmaceuticals out of area water resources.

"Great job by MWRD staff getting the messaging out and showcasing the essential work we do" said MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn. "It is trite, but knowledge is power, and we love to engage residents, neighbors and children of all ages to take ownership of our water environment. It makes public education easy when our staff is so passionate about their daily work."

“By engaging and educating the public about our work and our environment, we empower the communities we serve to take ownership of their water resources, understand our work and make our world a better place,” said MWRD Commissioner Beth McElroy Kirkwood. “Thanks to all who made an effort to visit our open houses during the month of May.”

The MWRD opens its doors to neighbors, water advocates and curious minds at Calumet Water Reclamation Plant to engage all ages on the important work that the MWRD plays to protect the water environment.