After a distinguished career spanning over 30 years, Brian A. Perkovich, executive director of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), announced his retirement, leaving behind a legacy of service, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

Brian led the MWRD through the pandemic and has been instrumental in advancing the MWRD’s mission to protect the region’s water environment, launching an ambitious five-year Strategic Plan to expand its goals, vision and values. Under his leadership, the MWRD implemented numerous initiatives to enhance water quality, expand green infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and modernize wastewater treatment facilities to meet evolving environmental challenges.

“Brian’s commitment to the mission of the MWRD has left an indelible mark on the MWRD and the communities we serve,” said President Kari K. Steele. “His leadership helped guide the district through a global pandemic, critical infrastructure improvements and environmental initiatives that will benefit residents for generations to come.”

Brian joined the MWRD in 1993 as an Assistant Civil Engineer in the Engineering Dept, and he was later selected to lead the operations at the Egan Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) and at the Hanover Park WRP before being promoted to lead the operations at the Calumet WRP in 2005. Prior to being named executive director in December 2018, he served as Assistant Director in the MWRD’s Maintenance and Operations Department. 

During his tenure, Brian played a key role in projects such as the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) and stormwater management programs and was committed to ensuring that the MWRD continued to be a leader in sustainability and resilience, embracing its Utility of the Future designation in the midst of a changing climate. The MWRD has approximately 1,800 employees and treats an average of 1.2 billion gallons of water at its seven water reclamation plants each day. MWRD staff work around the clock to transform that wastewater into clean water to be released into area waterways, that the MWRD also monitors and protects.

Brian was a steady presence during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that MWRD operations continued seamlessly despite quarantine and stay-at-home orders. Under Brian’s leadership and in close collaboration with President Steele, the MWRD strengthened safety protocols to protect employees, ensured uninterrupted wastewater treatment services, adapted to evolving public health guidelines, and pioneered a robust sewage surveillance sampling program. 

“It has been an honor to serve the MWRD and work alongside such dedicated professionals committed to protecting our water environment,” Brian said. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together, thank you for your tireless commitment and look forward to seeing the District continue its vital mission in the years ahead.”

Beyond his responsibilities at the MWRD, Brian represented the MWRD with the Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies where he served as its past president and was named the recipient of the 2021 Illinois Award, its highest honor. Brian is also a member of the Water Environment Federation and is a board member of Current, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and the Water Research Foundation.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from DePaul University.

His retirement will be effective March 31. The MWRD Board of Commissioners will oversee the transition process and announce plans for new leadership in the coming weeks.