MWRD FLOW - December 2025
For the Love of Water (FLOW) is the MWRD monthly news summary.
In this edition:
Upcoming Events
MWRD Board of Commissioners September meetings
Thursday, December 4 and 18, 10:30 a.m.
The MWRD Board of Commissioners will hold its Regular Board Meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 4 and Thursday, December 18.
Public comments may be made at the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building, 100 E. Erie Street, Chicago, during the Public Comment period.
An "In Progress" link under the Video Column will be active when there is a meeting in session. Closed captioning is available.
The Board will also hold its Annual Meeting on December 2 at 10:30 a.m., the Public Hearing on the budget on December 4 at 2 p.m., and adopt the budget on December 11 at 10:30 a.m.
Monthly Virtual Tour set for Tuesday, December 9 at 2 p.m.
Have you ever wondered what happens to the water after it goes down the drain? Follow the flow with the MWRD on a virtual tour of our wastewater treatment process on Tuesday, December 9 at 2 p.m.!
Join us for an inside look at how we protect our waterways, reduce pollution, and even turn waste into renewable resources—all from the comfort of your home!
Whether you're a student, an environmental enthusiast, or just looking for a unique adventure, this tour is packed with fascinating science and sustainable solutions. Sign up today and get a fresh perspective on water reclamation!
Monitoring and Research Monthly Seminar set for Friday, December 12 at 10:30 a.m.
"Sewer Modeling for South Park Interceptor to the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant."
On Friday, December 12 at 10:30 a.m., MWRD Environmental Research Scientist Weizhe (William) An, Ph.D., PE, will discuss "Sewer Modeling for South Park Interceptor to the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant."
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 September 26 for the link to access the seminar.
For additional information, please email MnRSeminars@mwrd.org.
The seminar is eligible for Professional Development Credits/CEUs.
MWRD in the News
MWRD Board of Commissioners appoints John P. Murray as Executive Director
The MWRD Board of Commissioners announced the appointment of John P. Murray as its new executive director on November 20. Murray, who has been serving as acting executive director since the retirement of Brian A. Perkovich in March, brings more than two decades of experience in the water industry and a distinguished career of service at the MWRD.
Murray held several leadership roles during his tenure, including section head for the Stormwater Management and Local Sewer Systems Sections, as well as contributing to the Biosolids Management Program. His expertise and dedication have been instrumental in advancing the MWRD’s mission to protect the region’s water environment and promote sustainable resource management.
A licensed professional engineer in the state of Illinois, Murray holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Public Works from the Illinois Institute of Technology. His technical knowledge, combined with his proven leadership, positions him to guide the MWRD into its next chapter of innovation and service.
13th Sustainability Summit held in Cicero
The MWRD hosted its 13th Annual Sustainability Summit on November 13 at the Town of Cicero Community Center, bringing new energy and momentum to regional stormwater and sustainability efforts. MWRD Commissioners, staff, local leaders and environmental experts for an exchange of strategies and success stories focused on climate resilience, infrastructure improvements and community engagement. Watch the video here:
Commissioner Eira Corral Sepúlveda and Commissioner Sharon Waller led the event, and other speakers included Pedro Ortiz, MWRD Senior Civil Engineer, who provided an update on stormwater management initiatives. From the Forest Preserves of Cook County, John Watson, Senior Civil Engineer of Water Resources, PE, CFM, and Renee Patten, Sustainability Coordinator, discussed how land conservation, restoration and nature-based solutions are preparing the region for the impacts of climate change, while Jackie Rigley, Senior Water Policy Advisor for the City of Chicago Department of Environment, highlighted the city’s new green stormwater infrastructure strategy. Frank Kraut of the Cicero Stormwater Advisory Board shared how Cicero is improving local infrastructure, protecting homes and businesses from flooding, and increasing public awareness around stormwater management.
Kevin O’Toole from the Morton Freshman Center Monarch Garden showcased an education curriculum that immerses students in environmental science and stormwater management through hands-on design and engineering projects. Kate Perryman, Stewardship Specialist, and Ryan Sweeney, JD, LLM, Community Specialist with the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) discussed how trees and green infrastructure strengthen public health and environmental resilience.
Awards were presented to Town of Cicero President Larry Dominick for Excellence in Promoting Green Infrastructure to Local Residents and for creating a stormwater advisory group; the Excellence in Green Infrastructure Installation Award was presented to the Blue Island Public Library for implementing a green roof at its facility; the Village of Oak Park received the Excellence in Green Infrastructure Partnership Program Maintenance Award for its ongoing care of local rain gardens, including those at the Oak Park Conservatory; and Public Education Awards were presented to Morton East Freshman Center and the Salt Creek Watershed Network.
Five Space to Grow™ schools unveiled
The Space to Grow™ initiative completed five new green schoolyard transformations this fall, marking another milestone in its long-term effort to convert asphalt playlots into vibrant outdoor learning and recreation spaces in Chicago’s public schools.
The program is a partnership between the MWRD, Healthy Schools Campaign, Openlands, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and the city of Chicago. Five schoolyard sites in diverse neighborhoods each offer new outdoor play fields, nature-play zones, rain gardens and storm-water retention features.
In addition to providing healthier, safer and more inspiring outdoor spaces for students, these projects will help manage stormwater in neighborhoods that face frequent flooding. The five schoolyards recently opened brings the total number of transformed campuses to 41 since 2014 and brings the grand total of storage volume to nearly 8.8 million gallons per rain event.
By the numbers: (1,726,842 gallons will be captured per storm event)
- Till Math and Science Academy, 6543 S Champlain Ave. (319,914 gal.)
- William H. Ryder Math & Science Specialty Elementary School, 8716 S Wallace St. (260,129 gal.)
- James Farmer Jr. Elementary School, 4214 S St Lawrence Ave. (324,532 gal.)
- Mollison Elementary School, 4415 S King Dr. (383,878 gal.)
- Myra Bradwell School, 7736 S Burnham Ave. (438,389 gal.)
Pictured below: Till Academy (11/3), Ryder Elementary (11/4), Farmer Elementary (11/7, Mollison Elementary (11/7) and Bradwell School (11/17).
Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists honor MWRD’s Tunnel and Reservoir Plan
One of the largest public works projects for pollution and flood control in the world, the MWRD's Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) has been recognized by the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG) as the AEG Outstanding Environmental and Engineering Geologic Project for 2025.
Emulated around the world and known famously as the Chicago region’s “Deep Tunnel,” TARP reduces flooding, improves water quality in Chicago area waterways and protects Lake Michigan from pollution caused by sewer overflows. Since it first went into service four decades ago, TARP has prevented billions of gallons of stormwater and sewage each year from polluting local waterways and flooding homes through a vast engineered system of tunnels and reservoirs. It’s this elaborate and innovative system that was honored at the AEG’s 68th Annual Meeting held recently in Chicago.
Cook County mayors and local leaders strengthen flood preparedness at Government to Government Workshop
More than 100 mayors, trustees, municipal representatives and Commissioners from across Cook County gathered on November 5 at the Hazel Crest Village Hall for a Government-to-Government Workshop hosted by the MWRD, IDNR and the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association. The workshop brought together local, county, and state agencies to strengthen regional coordination and flood preparedness. Participants exchanged resources and outlined the services their agencies can provide to help communities plan for, respond to, and recover from flooding events.
Speakers included MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn, MWRD Principal Civil Engineers Rich Fisher and Lolita Thompson and representatives from the city of Chicago, IL Dept. of Public Health, IL Dept. of Insurance, IL Emergency Management Agency, Delta Institute and Cook County Emergency Management, among others. MWRD Commissioners Cam Davis and Sharon Waller and Cook County Commissioner Dr. Kisha McCaskill also participated.
MWRD earns continued AAA, Aa1, and AA+ Ratings from Fitch, Moody’s and S&P Global
The MWRD has once again gained confidence from Fitch Ratings following the agency’s 2025 annual surveillance review. Fitch reaffirmed the MWRD’s current AAA credit rating and stable outlook, designating the review as “Review–No Action.” Additionally, the MWRD maintains a stable AA+ rating from S&P Global, and Moody’s Ratings announced that it had reaffirmed the MWRD’s rating of Aa1 with a stable outlook. These reaffirmations underscore the rating agencies’ ongoing confidence in the MWRD’s financial management, operational stability and commitment to maintaining long-term fiscal responsibility while protecting the region’s water environment.
Stormwater Partnership Program is seeking municipal partners
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.
Resources
Flood Response Resource Guide
The MWRD has released a first edition of the new “What to Do and Where to Get Help: Flood Response Resource Guide.”
The 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 communities recover more quickly. This new 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.
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 opening this fall. 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
Winter is coming - Remember to be salt smart
As the Chicago area braces for wintry conditions, residents and businesses will look to road salt to provide a stable, safer path along sidewalks, walkways, and streets.
The MWRD advocates for a prudent approach to the management of road salt.
Road salt can provide safety, but it also has unwanted ramifications for the local water environment. Rock salt (sodium chloride) and salt runoff can be harmful to pets, bodies of water and soil along roadways and sidewalks. In addition, excessive road salt can impact vegetation, as well as contaminate groundwater and drinking water.
According to the Salt Smart Collaborative, chloride levels in northeastern Illinois rivers, lakes and wetlands have been on the rise for decades. The challenge with protecting Lake Michigan and the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS) is that road salt use increases with urban development, and the more development, the more miles of roads and walkways that need winter deicing. All that salt eventually makes its way to area waterways, and MWRD water reclamation plants cannot always filter it out before releasing it as clean water into the CAWS.
Follow these guidelines to protect the environment:
1. Shovel first. Salt should only be used after the snow is removed and only in areas needed for safety.
2. Size up. More salt does not mean more melting. A 12-ounce coffee mug of salt should be enough for a 20-foot driveway or 10 sidewalk squares (250 square feet).
3. Spread. Distribute salt evenly, not in clumps. Clumped salt is wasted salt.
4. Sweep. If there is leftover salt on the ground after the ice melts, then too much salt was used. Sweep up leftover salt to keep it out of local rivers and streams.
5. Switch. Untreated salt stops working if the temperature is below 15 degrees. When temperatures drop that low, switch to sand for traction or choose a different deicer formulated for colder temperatures.
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.
Rain barrels for sale
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.
Extras
Historical Photo of the Month
The intersection of Lawrence and Damen Avenues in Chicago during work on the Sanitary District's Lawrence Ave conduit, viewed to the northwest on June 17, 1930.
December 2025 Calendar
The Lakefront Trail along the shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago attracts visitors in all weather, even on extremely cold and snowy days.
