MWRD FLOW - November 2024
In this edition:
Upcoming Events
MWRD Board of Commissioners November meetings
Thursday, November 7 and 21, 10:30 a.m.
Monthly Virtual Tour set for Tuesday, November 12 at 2 p.m.
MWRD, City of Calumet City to celebrate completion of green alleys on November 14
The MWRD and City of Calumet City will celebrate the completion of four new green alleys that were funded through the MWRD’s Green Infrastructure Partnership Program. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 14, at 664 Hirsch Ave., Calumet City, IL.
Monitoring and Research Monthly Seminar set for Friday, November 22 at 10:30 a.m.
"Environmental Justice in Action at the MWRD"
On Friday, November 22 at 10:30 a.m., Ed Coleman, MWRD Human Resources Manager, and Lolita Thompson, P.E., Principal Civil Engineer, will present "Environmental Justice in Action at the MWRD" at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, 6001 W. Pershing Road, Cicero, IL.
Their discussion will focus on how the MWRD is addressing environmental justice issues through equitable policies, sustainable practices, community engagement initiatives, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. They will highlight efforts to improve diversity in the workplace and explain how DEI is connected to Environmental Justice.
In person: Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, Lue-Hing R&D Complex, 6001 West Pershing Rd., Cicero, IL. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance by emailing Dr. Heng Zhang at zhangH@mwrd.org or call (708) 588-4264 or (708) 588-4059.
Virtual: Go to Seminars and Presentations on November 22 for the link to access the seminar.
For additional information, please contact Dr. Heng Zhang, Assistant Director of Monitoring and Research, at (708) 588-4264 or (708) 588-4059.
The seminar is eligible for Professional Development Credits/CEUs.
Latest News
MWRD hosts 12th Annual Sustainability Summit at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant
The MWRD brought together environmental leaders and innovators for its 12th Annual Sustainability Summit on October 29 at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) Auditorium.
Placing a special emphasis on managing the effects of climate change, the event this year brought together key industry experts, including hydrologists, engineers, planners and sustainability leaders, sharing valuable insights on building resilient, eco-friendly communities for the future. In addition to the presentations, this event recognized communities and individuals for their exceptional contributions to environmental sustainability through innovative green infrastructure, impactful capital investments, and dynamic public education efforts.
In addition to MWRD President Kari K. Steele, Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn, Commissioner Eira Corral Sepúlveda, and Commissioner Daniel Pogorzelski, keynote speakers included:
- W. Scott Lincoln, Senior Service Hydrologist and Hydrology Program Leader, National Weather Service in Chicago
- Herman Lopez and Stephanie Nash, MWRD Associate Civil Engineers, who presented updates on the MWRD’s Stormwater Management Programs
- Brian Daly, Program Manager, Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability
- Phillip Mason, Planning and Preparedness Manager, Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security
- Meg Kelly, Director, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Coastal Management Program
Awards recognizing organizations and individuals that excel in incorporating green infrastructure or educating the public to benefit the community and environment included:
- Village of River Forest, Excellence in Promoting Green Infrastructure
- Village of Glenview, Excellence in Installing Green Infrastructure
- Village of Riverside, Excellence in Maintaining Green Infrastructure
- Principal Afua Agyeman-Badu, Aldridge Elementary School, Public Education Award
- Network 49, Public Education Award
Members of the new Stickney WRP Community Partnership Council comprised of local residents dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Stickney/Cicero area, were also introduced.
Business Opportunity Reception, Latinx Stewardship Day held to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month
On October 10, MWRD Chairman of Finance Marcelino Garcia, co-hosted a Latinx Business Opportunity Reception in collaboration with HIRE360 and featured MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn; Hire360 Executive Director Jay Rowell; AnaMaria Montes de Oca-Rojas, HIRE360 Director of Workforce Development; Marcus Jordan, DEIA Director of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting; International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 and MWRD staff. Participants learned about new opportunities and potential for growth. Thank you to HIRE360 for their hospitality, for giving a tour of their beautiful new facility and for their partnership and commitment to fostering a vibrant business ecosystem.
On Oct. 19, the MWRD, in partnership with Raquel Garcia-Alvarez, Policy Manager, Forest Preserves of Cook County, hosted the fourth annual stewardship day which included the identification and mitigation of invasive species threatening the local ecosystem. MWRD Commissioner Eira Corral Sepúlveda and Chairman Garcia educated residents and students from the University of Illinois Chicago Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services (LARES) about sustainable gardening practices aimed at creating a healthier environment. They also removed invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle.
Calumet Community Partnership Council honored with Resolution from Board
We commend our Calumet Community Partnership Council (CPC) on two years of commitment to collaboration, environmental justice and engagement to the community that our Calumet Water Reclamation Plant serves. Commissioners presented a resolution to the CPC and staff at the October 3 Board meeting.
They attended presentations and participated in and organized a variety of activities during their two-year tenure, including the construction of a rain garden at a Chicago Public School (CPS), an Earth Day clean-up at another CPS school, meeting with the US Army Corps of Engineers at Calumet Park beach and a visit to the Pullman Monument and State Historic Site.
Global Water Research Coalition convenes at Stickney Water Reclamation Plant
Water leaders and experts from throughout the world descended on the Stickney WRP to share ideas and strategize about the many issues and trends facing the water industry.
Members of the Global Water Research Coalition held its Board of Directors meetings from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, bringing water officials from five continents to discuss ongoing research and share knowledge in international efforts to protect the world’s water environment.
Participants toured the Stickney WRP and listened to presentations on several topics that addressed managing emerging contaminants in water. District staff presented alongside researchers from universities, water utilities and leading engineering firms.
Delegation from Kyiv, Ukraine tours water infrastructure
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 Plant 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 the Kyiv City State Administration; 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.
MWRD showcases expertise in water protection at 97th Annual WEFTEC Conference, earns awards
Applications being accepted for MWRD stormwater management partnership projects
The MWRD partnerships cover a variety of stormwater management strategies and technical assistance opportunities through the following programs:
Stormwater Partnership Program helps fund the construction of traditional engineering solutions to flooding such as detention basins, storm sewer improvements, and stream channel improvements.
Green Infrastructure Partnership Program helps fund the construction of green alleys, rain gardens, permeable paving, and other natural, permeable systems that manage rainwater where it falls.
Conceptual Project Partnerships are available to local government organizations requiring assistance developing stormwater solutions, coordinating stormwater mitigation efforts, and identifying state and federal grant opportunities.
Voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Program provides funding to help municipalities acquire properties in the flood plain and give homeowners the opportunity for a fresh start.
Since receiving authority to partner on local projects over the last decade, the MWRD has approximately 250 active or completed stormwater management projects throughout Cook County working to protect nearly 19,000 homes, businesses and other structures. These partnership projects range from huge flood mitigation reservoirs to smaller scale neighborhood green infrastructure projects. These projects represent an MWRD investment of more than $533 million.
ASCE Illinois honors MWRD engineering at Addison Creek Reservoir
An MWRD project designed to protect six west suburbs from flooding near Addison Creek received a crowning engineering achievement.
The American Society of Civil Engineering-Illinois Section (ASCE IL) recognized the MWRD’s Addison Creek Reservoir with the Outstanding Engineering Achievement for projects ranging in cost from $25 million to $100 million. The MWRD and design consultant engineers from Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., were honored on Oct. 10 at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile.
The 600-acre-foot reservoir, designed to capture 195 million gallons of storage capacity, was completed in 2023. The reservoir connects with the Addison Creek Channel, where three miles of ongoing improvements will combine with the reservoir to protect thousands of homes, businesses and other structures in communities along Addison Creek, including Bellwood, Broadview, Melrose Park, Northlake, Stone Park, and Westchester.
Surveying the fish population: 50 years of MWRD data demonstrates resurgence, revitalization in area waterways
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the MWRD’s fish monitoring program in the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS), and as water quality has improved over that time, the MWRD has noted a significant rise in fish populations.
When the MWRD first began studying fish in 1974, they documented only 10 fish species in the CAWS. Today, the total number of fish species has risen to 77.
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Water is one of the most valuable resources on our planet. We require clean and fresh water for drinking, cleaning, recreation and other activities. However, too much of it can become a nuisance when it causes flooding in and urban areas, impacting our travel when roads are flooded and damaging our homes and businesses.
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 countless commercial, consumer, and industrial products and are acknowledged by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be widely present in 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.
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 use of nonstick cookware, cosmetics and sunscreens, washing clothes, and putting out fires with certain foams can all introduce PFAS into the environment.
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.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Opportunity on November 2
Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Dispose of your household chemicals responsibly and recycle your old computers.
The public may drop them 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.
Doing Business with the MWRD
The MWRD procures materials and services required for operations in compliance with the 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 performance of the MWRD’s construction program and professional service contracts over $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, illegal or suspicious dumping to waterways or sewers, or odors.
Call 800-332-DUMP (3867) or in Spanish 855-323-4801
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 a group tour.
Schedule a speaker
MWRD staff are eager to share information about our work and to provide residents of all ages with information and resources they can use to help reduce flooding and improve water quality.
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.