With more rain expected in the Chicago area Monday, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) encourages area residents and business owners to reduce water use during and after the storm to help prevent flooding and protect water quality:

• Delay showers and baths
• Flush less frequently 
• Wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine

This marks the seventh overflow action alert since March. With more than 6 inches of rain falling across the Chicago area already in April, the Chicago area is on pace to rival the April record of 8.68 inches (2013), the wettest April on record, according to the National Weather Service. 

“Our staff is managing billions of gallons of water at our seven water reclamation plants and through our Tunnel and Reservoir Plan which is operating to protect our water environment and mitigate flooding,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “We encourage everyone to conserve water, when possible, to create more capacity in our systems.” 

Learn how to prepare for stormwater

Learn more about Combined Sewer Overflow prevention 

Sign up to receive Overflow Action Alerts 

Learn what you should do during flooding

For more information and explanations about how the MWRD’s infrastructure and waterway system operate, visit these links:

Learn about the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) 

Understand how the Chicago Area Waterway System works