The year 2020 will be etched in our memories as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic swept through our communities claiming many lives, separating us from our friends, families and co-workers and challenging us in ways not imaginable. But it also gave us a reminder of the critical role we play in protecting our water environment. The word “resilient” is often used when discussing our work combating flooding, protecting our region’s water quality, and proving our sustainability. Yet it was our hard-working women and men at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) who were resilient in 2020. 

Staff reported to our water reclamation plants each day to treat wastewater, survey our waterways, mitigate flooding, monitor industrial waste, collect and analyze water samples and keep projects moving. Other staff working from home could meet with their colleagues on Microsoft Teams while forging ahead on contracts and permits from their kitchen tables, managing our real estate, and designing and maintaining infrastructure. Our Board of Commissioners united on video conference calls to advance this essential work and keep our region’s water flowing. Some of our staff manufactured face masks, face shields and touchless door openers from their homes. We worked together to keep our operations running, and I am so proud to play a part in this important work and continue our services on which communities rely. Here are a few memorable highlights and achievements through 2020 that marked our resiliency. 

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PresidentsMessage2020.pdf.pdf