Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Chairman of Finance Marcelino Garcia recently led a tour of key MWRD facilities with a special delegation from Kyiv, Ukraine. The group, which included MWRD Executive Director Brian Perkovich, Deputy Director of Maintenance and Operations Adam Gronski, and Engineer of Treatment Plan Operations Joe Cummings, visited the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan McCook Reservoir, and the Mainstream Pumping Station where they discussed water reclamation efforts and explored shared goals in sustainability and infrastructure.

The distinguished guests included Vera Eliashevsky, Chicago Sister Cities International Chair of the Kyiv Committee; Andria Volodymyr Yermak, Deputy Mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine; Roman Kashpur, a Ukrainian soldier and athlete; and Andrew Eliashevsky, who received a warm welcome back to the MWRD family. He is a retired civil engineer whose first job was with the MWRD when it was known as the Metropolitan Sanitary District.  

Kashpur lost his leg in 2019 after standing on a mine. Since his injury, he has completed four of the world’s six major marathons — London, Tokyo, New York City, and Berlin. In London, Kashpur made history as the first Ukrainian military veteran to finish a marathon using a prosthetic limb. His resilience and determination served as an inspiration to all who participated in the tour. 

Deputy Mayor Yermak expressed appreciation for the tour, praising the MWRD’s advanced water reclamation technology and its commitment to sustainable development. He said the visit underscored the importance of international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges.

“Understanding there are dramatic climate conditions and military actions deteriorating water resources and infrastructure in Kyiv and the country of Ukraine as a whole, it was an important opportunity to host Andria Volodymyr Yermak,” said Chairman Garcia. “Even under duress, I commend the city’s public utilities officials for prioritizing adaptation and mitigation strategies. It is our hope that through these international exchanges, MWRD continues to learn and demonstrate how we transform the governance of our water resources for the safety and welfare of our constituents.”  

MWRD President Kari K. Steele stated that “I appreciate that Chairman Garcia was able to share insights with our Ukrainian guests, exchange ideas, and showcase some of the innovations we’re pursuing at the MWRD. We are eager to build on the knowledge we exchanged and explore opportunities for collaboration.”

“Faced with the challenges of missile attacks by Russia on power and water supplies across Ukraine the city of Kyiv is faced with unique challenges to sustaining and strengthening its infrastructure,” said Vera Eliashevsky. “On behalf of our Kyiv delegation, we are grateful to the entire staff of the MWRD for their time on what was an extremely informative tour and exchange of ideas.”