MWRD FLOW - April 2026
For the Love of Water (FLOW) is the MWRD monthly news summary.
In this edition:
Upcoming Events
MWRD Board of Commissioners September meetings
Thursday, April 2 and 16, 10:30 a.m.
The MWRD Board of Commissioners will hold its Regular Board Meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 2 and Thursday, April 16.
Public comments may be made at the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building, 100 E. Erie Street, Chicago, during the Public Comment period. Visit mwrd.org to watch the meeting online. Click on "Board of Commissioners" in the upper right corner, then click on Board calendar. An "In Progress" link under the Video Column will be active when there is a meeting in session. Closed captioning is available.
Meet the MWRD's new prime contractor on April 9
On Thursday, April 9 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., join the MWRD for an evening of networking and relationship building with McDonagh Demolition, the newly awarded Prime Contractor for the MWRD's Job Order Contract (JOC) for the next three years.
McDonagh is seeking to connect with qualified contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and professional service firms interested in building strong partnerships and supporting upcoming projects. This event is an opportunity to introduce your firm, expand your network, and explore how your company may collaborate on future work.
Location: Black Contractors Owners and Executives, 7744 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago, IL
Participating Organizations: Black Contractors Owners and Executives • Black Contractors United • African American Contractors Association • National Association of Minority Contractors • US Minority Contractors Association
We encourage small businesses, specialty contractors, suppliers, and emerging firms to attend and connect with the McDonagh team.
Monthly Virtual Tour set for Tuesday, April 14 at 2 p.m.
Monitoring and Research Monthly Seminar set for April 24 at 10:30 a.m.
“Connecting Microbial Community Assembly Processes to Water Resource Recover Facility Performance."
On Friday, April 24 at 10:30 a.m., Francis L. de Los Reyes III, Ph.D., BCEEM, F. WEF, Department of Civil Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, will discuss “Connecting Microbial Community Assembly Processes to Water Resource Recover Facility Performance.”
In person: Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, Lue-Hing R&D Complex, 6001 West Pershing Rd., Cicero, IL. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance by emailing MnRSeminars@mwrd.org or calling 708-588-4264 or 708-588-4059.
Virtual: Go to Seminars and Presentations on April 24 for the link to access the seminar.
For additional information, please email MnRSeminars@mwrd.org.
The seminar is eligible for Professional Development Credits/CEUs.
US DEA Drug Take Back Day is April 25
MWRD drug collection boxes are open every day, but April 25 is a national challenge to clean out your medication cabinets. Bring us your human and pet meds on April 25 for environmentally friendly disposal (no sharps).
MWRD in the News
Honoring 50 years of financial reporting excellence
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada presented the District with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2025 Budget and Certificates of Achievement for Excellence in Financial, the MWRD Retirement Fund, and to the MWRD Retiree Health Care Trust for the 2024 fiscal year.
This marks 50 consecutive years of the MWRD receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, putting the MWRD in the top two percent of governments receiving a consecutive award. The MWRD also received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 41 consecutive years. The Board of Commissioners honored staff at a recent Board meeting.
Women leaders highlight climate action and resilience at MWRD Women’s History Month Event
Three dynamic speakers explored how women are leading efforts in climate action, conservation, and community resilience during the District’s Women’s History Month celebration held on March 12 at the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building in Chicago. Barbara Hickey, Director of Operations, Willis Tower; Sunny Nelson, Vice President of Conservation & Science, Lincoln Park Zoo; and Lindy Wordlaw, Recovery Plan Director, City of Chicago Dept. of Environment, shared their stories. Watch the program.
Irish leaders tour MWRD projects, facilities
On March 13, MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn welcomed a delegation of Irish leaders to a very windy city. James Browne, Ireland’s Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Padraig Manning, vice consul general at the Consulate General of Ireland in Chicago, along with Tim Reilly, Síona Cahill and Jack Savage toured facilities working to protect our water environment and manage stormwater.
The delegation toured MWRD investments in both green and gray infrastructure to manage unpredictable rainstorms like the challenges that Ireland faces through flooding and the effects of climate change. The group toured a permeable parking lot in Riverside that the MWRD helped fund then visited the Mainstream Pumping Station to see how we manage the Deep Tunnel which is designed to reduce flooding, improve water quality in Chicago area waterways and protect Lake Michigan from pollution caused by sewer overflows.
MWRD joins Chicago's Mayor, others for major Chicago River announcement
Long considered the city’s backyard to our lakefront, the Chicago River now flows as a shining destination thanks to hard work, innovation, investment, collaboration and advocacy for clean water. MWRD President Kari K. Steele joined the Chicago Mayor's Office, Friends of the Chicago River, the Chicago Park District, Doug McConnell of A Long Swim, and other partners to announce the 2nd Annual Chicago River Swim.
In addition to highlighting the clean river water, the swim will raise funds for ALS research and promote access to swim education.
MWRD Commissioner Yumeka Brown's Youth Environmental Summit continues to educate, inspire future water leaders at Wendell Smith Elementary School
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural program, MWRD Commissioner Yumeka Brown hosted the second annual Youth Environmental Summit (YES) on March 21 at Wendell Smith Elementary School in Chicago.
The YES program continues to broaden students’ awareness and understanding of water and environmental sciences while introducing them to careers in these vital fields. Students from the Girl Scouts, Pullman Elementary, and Alex Hailey Elementary participated in this year’s summit, engaging in hands-on learning and interactive discussions with environmental professionals.
Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn, Chairman of Finance Marcelino Garcia, Commissioner Sharon Waller, staff from the office of President Kari K. Steele and MWRD principal civil engineer Lolita Thompson joined Commissioner Brown to educate students on the importance of environmental stewardship and opportunities in STEM and water-related careers.
The YES program emphasized the importance of protecting natural resources and building a sustainable future for Chicago’s communities. It aims to empower young minds with the knowledge, confidence, and resources needed to pursue careers in environmental and water sciences while strengthening connections between students, educators and industry leaders.
Resources
Flood Response Resource Guide
A new guide that provides practical steps for residents to follow before, during and after a flood is now available. “What to Do and Where to Get Help: Flood Response Resource Guide” provides practical steps for residents to follow before, during and after a flood. It also lists key agencies, local resources, and contact information to help those impacted recover more quickly. This tool is designed to make it easier for residents to find reliable information when they need it most.
The guide can be found at mwrd.org and hard copies are available by emailing public.affairs@mwrd.org.
Sign up for Overflow Action Alert text messages
Sign up to receive Overflow Action Alert text messages. When we announce an Overflow Action Alert, you will be reminded to reduce your use of water before, during and after a storm to help prevent excess water from entering local sewers.
Join Our Team!
Are you looking for a new career?
If so, visit our online employment center to register, apply and learn more about jobs and the selection process at the MWRD. We also participate in job fairs throughout the county so stop by our table if you are in attendance! Staff in a variety of job classifications were interviewed to discuss their background and work that they do. The videos can be found on the MWRD YouTube page.
Stormwater Partnerships available for local government
The MWRD can help local government organizations pay for the construction of stormwater infrastructure on public property in Cook County.
The program funds projects that address flooding through a variety of traditional engineering solutions including localized detention, upsizing critical storm sewers and culverts, pumping stations, establishing drainage ways, as well as green infrastructure. This infrastructure can reduce flooding and prevent damage to homes and businesses.
Throughout the year, the MWRD reviews applications and prioritizes projects for partnerships. The selected partner is responsible for their project's design, contract advertisement and award, acquiring any necessary property rights, construction, and long-term maintenance. There are four partnership programs offered on a regular basis.
April 25, 2026 is the US DEA's biannual drug take back day
Keep medications out of our water!
Medications can end up in waterways. This includes pet medications too!
These drugs can pass through our water reclamation plants (WRPs) and enter rivers and streams. This can harm fish, plant life and our waterways. Controlling what goes down the drain is an easy and effective way to protect the environment.
How you can help
You can help keep medications from entering our waterways by disposing of unwanted medicine properly.
- Never flush unused medications or toss expired medicines in the garbage.
- Take unused and expired medications to Cook County Prescription Drug Take Back Network locations.
- For over-the-counter products, monitor your supply. Store them in one spot in your home to avoid accidentally buying extras.
The MWRD is proud to play a role in collecting unwanted medicine and keeping our drains medicines free. Our boxes are located near the entrances at the Stickney, Calumet and O'Brien WRPs and in the lobby of the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building in Chicago. Do not leave medication outside the box. If a box is locked, please return during hours of operation or visit another location.
MWRD drug collection box locations
What is the key to pollution prevention when it comes to are Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manmade fluorinated compounds that are designed to be stable and have been in commercial use since the 1940s. The stability of the chemicals makes them difficult to degrade which is why they are often called “forever chemicals.” PFAS are in commercial, consumer, and industrial products and and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that they are widely present in the environment; nonstick cookware, cosmetics, sunscreens, washing clothes, and fire-fighting foams can introduce PFAS into the environment.
Like other water utilities across the U.S., the MWRD is addressing how best to manage PFAS in the water environment. The MWRD’s seven water reclamation plants (WRPs) do not produce nor use PFAS but are passive receivers of these chemicals discharged to local sewers. As a result, wastewater can contain trace amounts of these chemicals from industrial, commercial and household sources. The MWRD’s WRPs were not designed to remove these chemicals during the treatment process.
The key to pollution prevention is addressing the source of PFAS.
The MWRD is closely following and proceeding based on the developing science on the potential impacts of PFAS. The MWRD is also working to identify and reduce industrial discharges of PFAS, learning how the discharge from these sources can be reduced and encouraging federal and state regulators to focus on stopping these chemicals at the source. The MWRD’s pretreatment program regulates industrial discharges to protect the treatment process and valuable resources the MWRD recovers.
Permanent Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collections
Dispose of your household chemicals responsibly and recycle your old computers.
- Tuesdays 7 am - Noon
- Thursdays 2 pm - 7 pm
- The first Saturday of every month 8 am - 3 pm
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) may be dropped off at the City of Chicago's permanent Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility at 1150 N. North Branch Street (two blocks east of the Kennedy Expressway at Division Street).
Household chemicals and computers often contain hazardous substances, such as lead, mercury, and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) which can contaminate our air, soil and water. Through proper disposal methods or recycling, these hazardous substances are reprocessed and reused in an environmentally-responsible manner.
The Household Chemical and Computer Recycling Facility accepts a range of items, including household cleaners, oil-based paints, solvents, cell phones, compact fluorescent light bulbs, computers, and related equipment, to name a few. It does not accept business/commercial sector wastes, explosives, fireworks or latex paint.
During business hours, an attendant will help unload your vehicle and accept your materials. Materials should not be left outside the facility unattended.
Coming soon! South Suburban College, 15800 State St., South Holland, will be the site of a new permanent HHW facility. Residents will be able to dispose of household chemicals, rechargeable batteries, oil-based paints, solvents, medications, fluorescent light bulbs, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, auto fluids, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, aerosol cans and lawn, pool and hobby chemicals. This facility will be located next to the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) Center where residents can dispose of electronics, polystyrene foam, clothing and textiles, personal healthcare equipment and general household recycling materials. CHaRM has taken in nearly 2.5 million pounds of materials. Read more.
Doing Business with the MWRD
Watch a video on how to submit a responsive bid or proposal.
The MWRD Department of Procurement and Materials Management procures materials and services required for operations in compliance with the MWRD Purchasing Act. The mission of the Diversity Section is to ensure that minority owned (MBE), women owned (WBE), small (SBE), and veteran owned (VBE) business enterprises are given equal opportunities to participate in the MWRD’s construction program and professional service contracts in excess of $100,000.
Our procurement process is designed to ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars, so we encourage you to register to become a vendor. Sign up for a weekly email listing new contract announcements by emailing forea@mwrd.org.
Please report waterway blockages, suspicious dumping to waterways or sewers, or odors.
Call 800-332-DUMP (3867) or in Spanish 855-323-4801
Tips to prepare your home for excess water
Read our "Green Neighbor Guide"
It's never too soon to work on projects that can make your home more resilient to stormwater.
Some actions can be as simple as not over-fertilizing your lawn and garden, installing a rain barrel or planting a native tree. No matter what action you choose, the MWRD "Green Neighbor Guide" can help. It gives instructions on stormwater management projects that you can install on your property. For example, detailed instructions are offered for disconnecting downspouts; installing rain barrels or cisterns to capture stormwater for reuse; installing dry wells and rain gardens to allow stormwater to filter into the ground; and replacing asphalt and concrete surfaces with permeable paving to reduce stormwater runoff. Watch our YouTube video to see how a rain barrel is installed.
Sapling program opens for 10th season
Our complimentary Restore the Canopy tree program is back for the 10th year! Bur, pin, red and swamp white oak saplings are available at our water reclamation plants on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon through October.
If more than 50 potted saplings are desired, delivery is available, or park districts, residents and municipalities can schedule a pick up time.
The saplings come in one gallon pots or can be requested as bare roots in bags of 100. The bare root saplings should be planted within a matter of days for premium viability.
Since our program began in 2016, we have distributed more than 100,000 free native trees!
Rain barrels for sale
New rain barrel pricing is now in effect. Cook County residents my purchase up to two rain barrels for $22.30 each which includes tax and delivery. Barrels are $11.15 each for residents age 65 and older.
Rain barrels are available to residents of Cook County through the MWRD website. Rain barrels capture rainwater from your roof for later use. They can help prevent basement backups, street flooding and sewer overflows by keeping rainwater out of the sewer system.
You can use rain barrel water to water your lawn or garden and clean your work boots, tools and bikes.
Rain barrels can hold up to 55 gallons. The overflow opening lets you connect a hose to direct overflow away from your foundation or to connect several rain barrels. Our rain barrels:
- Are made from durable high-density polyethylene.
- Come in four colors (black, blue, terra cotta and gray) and may have different shapes depending on the vendor.
- Include instructions, a leaf and mosquito filter screen, a flexible downspout connector, a spigot/tap, and an overflow hose.
- Free delivery.
Tour an MWRD facility
Each year, our seven water reclamation plants process approximately 450 billion gallons of wastewater. With a daily treatment capacity exceeding 2 billion gallons, the MWRD plays a critical role in protecting our region’s water quality. Learn more about the work of the MWRD on our YouTube channel, watch a virtual tour, or schedule an in-person group tour.
Schedule a speaker
The MWRD offers in-person and virtual presentations for all ages on subjects such as:
- Overview of the MWRD
- Careers in water
- History of water in the Chicago region, including reversing the Chicago River
- How sewers work
- Explanation of the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan or Deep Tunnel
- How wastewater treatment works
- Recovering resources from wastewater
- Stormwater management flood control
- What is Green Infrastructure
- What you can do to protect water quality and reduce flooding
Please request a speaker for your group or class at least three weeks in advance.
Request a community event representative
The MWRD actively engages with communities across Cook County throughout the year, participating in events such as back-to-school fairs, environmental expos, farmers markets, municipal gatherings, career days, and STEM-related activities. Our representatives provide engaging materials and interactive activities designed for all ages, offering insights into our work, areas of responsibility, and practical tips on how to enhance local water quality.
New! MWRD resource guide empowers communities to adopt green infrastructure practices
The MWRD has created a green infrastructure community guide, which aims to help communities manage stormwater through green infrastructure techniques that employ natural solutions to mitigate flooding and improve water quality. This guide equips municipal leaders, planners, public works directors, engineers, staff, and other decision-makers with valuable information, resources, and guidance for incorporating green infrastructure into their communities to better manage stormwater.
Extras
Historical Photo of the Month
A view to the east showing conditions of the northern approach to the Loomis Street bridge over the South Branch of the Chicago River on November 13, 1902.
Learn about the work of the MWRD on the MWRD YouTube channel.
April 2026 Calendar
A shelled dinamoeba (center) is a feature of normal wastewater treatment microflora. They help clean water by consuming organic matter from wastewater sludge.
