MWRD FLOW - October 2026
For the Love of Water (FLOW) is the MWRD's monthly news summary.
In this edition:
Upcoming Events
MWRD Board of Commissioners to meet October 1 and 15 at 10:30 a.m.
The MWRD Board of Commissioners will hold its Regular Board Meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 1 and Thursday, October 15.
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.
In the photo, front row, L-R: MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn, President Kari K. Steele and Chairman of Finance Marcelino Garcia. Back row, L-R: Commissioner Yumeka Brown, Commissioner Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Commissioner Sharon Waller, Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis, Commissioner Cam Davis and Commissioner Eira Corral Sepúlveda.
Groundbreaking on Battery E at O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant set for October 8
The MWRD will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the Battery E project at the O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 8.
As the O'Brien WRP nears 100 years of operation in 2028, this project addresses aging infrastructure and new regulatory pressures requiring enhanced water quality standards.
On June 18, 2026, the Board of Commissioners authorized plans to award a $389.9 million contract to Michels Construction, Inc., making it one of the MWRD's largest single infrastructure investments to date outside of the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan.
Monthly Virtual Tour set for October 13 at 2 p.m.
Register for the MWRD's 14th Annual Sustainability Summit on October 22
The MWRD's 14th Annual Sustainability Summit will be held on October 22 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Town of Cicero Community Center, 4936 W. 23rd St., Cicero, IL.
This annual event will showcase innovative strategies, projects and partnerships that protect our water resources, reduce flooding and promote sustainability throughout Cook County. Attendees will hear from leaders in the field, discover inspiring community initiatives and connect with others who are working to build resilient, healthy neighborhoods. This event is free and open to the public.
Green infrastructure improvements at Larry Robb Park, Countryside, to be celebrated October 29
The public is invited to join the City of Countryside and the MWRD at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of green infrastructure improvements at Larry Robb Park at 10701 E. 5th Ave. The project included the installation of two rain gardens and construction of a permeable parking lot. The project is expected to capture over 28,000 gallons of stormwater per rain event.
Monitoring and Research Seminar set for October 30
On Friday, Oct. 30 at 10:30 a.m., Levi Straka, Ph.D., Senior Environmental Research Scientist, MWRD Monitoring and Research Department, will discuss "Balancing Carbon Management, Energy Management, Energy Production and Nutrient Removal at the Egan Water Reclamation Plant in Schaumburg, IL."
Register to attend in person by emailing MnRSeminars@mwrd.org or calling (708) 588-4264. Visit here on October 30 for the seminar link.
MWRD in the News
Village of South Holland, MWRD cut ribbon on Thorn Ditch Flood Mitigation Project
Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn and Commissioners joined officials from the Village of South Holland and Cook County on Sept. 15 to celebrate the completion of the Thorn Ditch Flood Mitigation Project at Maicach Park, 921 E. 165th St., South Holland.
Culverts along Thorn Ditch were replaced and stormwater storage was constructed at Maicach Park and Pioneer Park. The $5.8 million project is partially funded through the Stormwater Partnership Program with additional support from the county.
The final design included 11.8 acre-feet of stormwater storage at the ponds, tantamount to more than 3.8 million gallons of storage.
IMPACT Small Business Summit held
More than 450 entrepreneurs, contractors, consultants and suppliers came to Malcolm X College on September 24 to participate in the MWRD's 2026 IMPACT Small Business Summit. They met with staff, colleagues and others who are working to expand opportunities, strengthen partnerships and support the growth of local businesses.
Municipalities participate in stormwater workshops with MWRD
The MWRD brought local governments to the table to better understand their priorities, challenges and stormwater concerns on Sept. 2 in North Riverside and on Sept. 10 in Mt. Prospect. The first workshop was held in Palos Heights in August.
These workshops were designed to connect with municipal leaders and staff, share information about the MWRD's Stormwater Partnership programs and learn more about local needs. Participants toured a stormwater project on site and discussed topics including capital improvement priorities, flooding and streambank erosion, stormwater infrastructure, operations and maintenance, and resources that could help support their communities. Learn more about Stormwater Partnerships.
Despite cancellation, Chicago River Swim and Big Jump highlight revitalization of the Chicago River
Although the Chicago River Swim was canceled after a weekend of heavy rainfall and lightning, the Big Jump was held on Sept. 18 and both events still raised critical funds for ALS research and swim lessons and introduced hundreds of people to a revitalized Chicago River. Officials made the difficult decision to cancel the race after monitoring the weather and river conditions on Sept. 20. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch due to excessive rainfall. The MWRD issued an Overflow Action Alert early Saturday, reinforcing the need for water conservation to help minimize strain on the sewer system.
MWRD President Kari K. Steele welcomed hundreds to the Big Jump.
Jumpers take their turn plunging into the Chicago River.
Latino Heritage Month celebrated at the MWRD
On October 6, the MWRD celebrated Latino Heritage Month and honored the rich culture, history and contributions of the Hispanic community. We extend our sincere appreciation to U.S. Representative Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-4) for joining us and sharing his insights and experiences. His remarks underscored the importance of community, opportunity and ensuring that everyone has the ability to contribute and thrive.
Resources
Rain barrels for sale
Discounted rain barrel pricing is in effect. Cook County residents may purchase up to two rain barrels for $22.30 each, including 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.
- Include instructions, a leaf and mosquito filter screen, a flexible downspout connector, a spigot/tap and an overflow hose.
- Include free delivery.
Flood Response Resource Guide
MWRD's new guide that provides practical steps for residents to follow before, during and after a flood is available at mwrd.org, and hard copies are available by emailing public.affairs@mwrd.org. 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.
Sign up for Overflow Action Day Alert text messages
Sign up to receive Overflow Action Day Alert text messages at the link below. When we announce an Overflow Action Day 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. Our website will indicate when an Overflow Action Day Alert ends.
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. We also participate in job fairs, 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. These 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 and 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 project design, contract advertisement and award, acquiring necessary property rights, construction and long-term maintenance. There are four partnership programs offered on a regular basis.
Stormwater Central: Online portal maps stormwater management storage progress
A new hub for mapping data and insight into the work of the MWRD Stormwater Management Program is live and accessible to the public.
Available at this link, the new site provides a window into the MWRD's stormwater management work in building resilience across Cook County. The interactive portal serves as an integrated hub for mapping data, project information and insights into how the MWRD is working to reduce flooding and manage stormwater across Cook County.
The hub includes the Stormwater Project and Data Explorer, which maps data on past and ongoing MWRD stormwater management projects. Visitors can learn more about projects occurring in their communities or across Cook County, assess stormwater volume capture, review MWRD goals for capturing more volume and track progress as projects are implemented across watersheds.
Since 2004, the MWRD has served as the regional authority for stormwater management in Cook County. As the impacts of climate change intensify, the MWRD has overseen a countywide effort to manage stormwater runoff, reduce flooding, improve the health of area waterways and protect the source of drinking water in Lake Michigan.
Over that time, the MWRD has implemented new policies, strategies and partnerships to manage increasingly intense and unpredictable storms. In just over a decade since receiving local authority in 2014, the MWRD has completed more than 230 projects that protect more than 17,000 homes, businesses and other buildings from flooding.
Local governments and public agencies in Cook County can apply to the MWRD for help funding stormwater projects. The portal documents this growing map of projects after years of meticulous data management. Additional data is available upon request.
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 down the drain or toss them 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 and store them in one spot in your home to avoid accidentally buying extras. Never flush them down the toilet.
The MWRD is proud to play a role in collecting unwanted medicine and keeping our drains medicine 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 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 called "forever chemicals." PFAS are in commercial, consumer and industrial products, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that they are widely present in the environment; nonstick cookware, cosmetics, sunscreens, washing clothes and firefighting 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 do not produce or use PFAS but are passive receivers of these chemicals after they are 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 Collections
- Tuesdays, 7 a.m.-Noon
- Thursdays, 2 p.m.-7 p.m.
- The first Saturday of every month, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Dispose of your household chemicals responsibly and recycle your old computers.
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. It does not accept business or commercial wastes, explosives, fireworks or latex paint.
During business hours, an attendant will unload your vehicle and accept your materials. Materials should not be left outside the facility unattended.
Doing Business with the MWRD
Click here to 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's 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 at this link.
Sign up to receive a weekly email listing of 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.
Last call for free saplings!
Complimentary 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 pickup 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 few days for premium viability.
Since our program began in 2016, we have distributed more than 100,000 free native trees!
Tour an MWRD facility
Each year, the MWRD's seven water reclamation plants process approximately 450 billion gallons of wastewater. With a daily treatment capacity exceeding two billion gallons, the MWRD plays a critical role in protecting our region's water quality. To learn more about our work, visit 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
- 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 connects with residents across Cook County at back-to-school celebrations, environmental expos, farmers markets, municipal events, career days and more.
At every stop, our team brings hands-on activities and eye-catching educational materials for all ages, inviting visitors to explore how we protect our waterways, manage essential infrastructure and champion a cleaner, healthier environment. We also share simple, everyday tips that empower residents to improve local water quality from their own homes and in their neighborhoods.
Green infrastructure resource guide for local government leaders available
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.
What's the difference between the MWRD and Chicago Department of Water Management?
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD)
The MWRD is a regional independent government agency responsible for treating wastewater and managing stormwater for Chicago and 128 municipalities. It is governed by a 9-member Board of Commissioners, each of whom is elected countywide in Cook County. The MWRD's key functions include:
- Treating wastewater from households, businesses and industries
- Operating water reclamation plants and large intercepting sewers
- Providing large-scale stormwater and flood-control services, including the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP or "Deep Tunnel")
- Partnering with communities within Cook County on stormwater and green infrastructure projects
- Managing waterways and protecting regional water quality
The MWRD does not provide drinking water.
Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM)
The DWM is a municipal department of the City of Chicago focused on drinking water delivery and sewer and stormwater services within the City of Chicago. A commissioner appointed by the Mayor of Chicago leads the department.
Extras
MWRD Historical Photo
A view of the west cofferdam for construction of the Chicago River Controlling Works (CRCW) with the Chicago skyline and the under-construction DuSable Lake Shore Drive bridge visible in the background on September 30, 1936. The MWRD built CRCW and the Chicago Harbor Lock between 1936 and 1938 and operated the lock until 1984 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District took over operations. The MWRD continues to operate the CRCW sluice gates.
October 2026 Calendar
Stalked ciliates support wastewater treatment processes by eating suspended organic matter and unicellular organisms. Their presence indicates a stable wastewater environment.
