Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) President Kari K. Steele and Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn, in collaboration with 5th District Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, hosted a successful community service day on July 27 at Canterbury Shopping Center in Markham, IL. 

The event featured a drug take-back, electronics recycling, and document shredding service, promoting environmental sustainability and public safety. Community members were provided with a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused or expired medications. These services were free to encourage responsible waste disposal and promote protecting the planet today and for future generations. 

“Proper disposal of medications, electronics, and sensitive documents is crucial for protecting our environment and Cook County waterways,” said President Steele. “This event provided a convenient and secure way for residents to contribute to a healthier and safer community. I encourage everyone to take advantage of these important services."

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is an award-winning, special-purpose district responsible for treating wastewater and providing stormwater management for residents and businesses in our service area which encompasses 882.1 square miles and includes Chicago and 128 suburban communities throughout Cook County. The MWRD serves approximately 12.72 million people each day, including 5.19 million residents.

MWRD President Kari K. Steele hosts various community events throughout the year to encourage residents to get involved in protecting the plant and Cook County waterways. Community Service Days help keep harmful items out of landfills, aids in preventing pollution, conserves natural resources and energy and produces economic opportunity through creating jobs. 

Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon added, "community events like this not only encourage public involvement, but also strengthen our commitment to environmental stewardship. By working together, we can ensure that hazardous materials are properly disposed of, reducing the risk of contamination and identity theft while also promoting a cleaner environment."

In addition, President Steele also encourages residents to sign up to receive MWRD Overflow Action Days text alerts that remind residents to reduce their water usage to necessity before, during and after rainstorms to limit the amount of water flowing into the sewer system. Despite MWRD’s improvements to local water quality, Chicago area waterways are still subject to stormwater damage throughout Cook County. Mother nature is an unpredictable source of rainfall; therefore, it is important to be a good neighbor and reduce water usage to necessity when rain is forecasted. These efforts help mitigate flooding and prevent excessive stormwater from going to unwanted places. 

“We are excited to collaborate with community leaders throughout Cook County to share MWRD’s essential work and inform residents of the many ways that they can assist in a healthier environment by choosing to recycle, properly dispose of medications and help keep harmful items out of our waterways. This is another opportunity to also educate future leaders about the importance of a clean and healthy eco-system,” said Vice President Flynn. 

There are many ways to preserve the planet and live environmentally friendly. The MWRD’s essential work is to protect the health and safety of the public in its service area, protect the quality of the water supply (Lake Michigan), improve the quality of water in watercourses in its service area, protect businesses and homes from flood damages, and manage water as a vital resource for its service area. 

Sign up for Overflow Action Day Alerts