Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) President Kari K. Steele welcomed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel, and staff for a tour of the MWRD’s Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, one of the largest wastewater treatment facilities in the world.

Region 5 serves six states, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and 37 Tribes. It plays a critical role in protecting water quality throughout the Great Lakes region. The visit highlighted the strong partnership between the MWRD and the EPA in advancing water quality, resource recovery, and stormwater management initiatives.

“We welcomed EPA Region 5 Administrator Vogel and Deputy Administrator Newton to our Stickney Water Reclamation Plant to build on our critical partnership in protecting the water environment,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “We were proud to showcase the innovative work taking place at the Stickney plant where our dedicated staff work on the front lines to turn wastewater into clean water, develop the science and technology to recover vital resources, and safeguard our precious natural resources that make the Chicago area the thriving region we call home.”

The group discussed the important work of the MWRD’s Stickney Water Reclamation Plant to address nutrient recovery and aging infrastructure, while introducing the EPA delegation to the famed history of the MWRD to reverse the Chicago River, a landmark engineering achievement that protects public health and continues to shape the region’s water management strategies. They spoke about how this reversal set the stage for modern wastewater treatment and stormwater control efforts.

During their tour, they observed the wastewater treatment processes which return clean water to the environment. Stormwater management strategies were another key topic, focusing on how green and gray infrastructure work together to reduce flooding and protect water quality.

“Meeting with MWRD leadership at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant underscored how our long-standing partnership delivers cleaner water and protects public health,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel. “Together, we will continue advancing sustainable, resilient solutions that safeguard the environment for today’s communities and future generations.”

The discussion highlighted the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP), a massive system designed to capture combined sewer overflows and prevent pollution during heavy storms.  Resource recovery initiatives were also discussed, including efforts to reclaim nutrients and energy from the treatment process. Finally, the conversation addressed emerging challenges and innovations in wastewater management, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration and investment to meet future demands. 

The visit underscored the importance of collaboration between federal, regional, and local agencies to address evolving environmental challenges and ensure sustainable water infrastructure for future generations.

For more information about the MWRD and its work to protect the region’s water resources, visit www.mwrd.org.  More about EPA Region 5 can be found here.