Nearly 300 guests visited the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s (MWRD’s) Calumet Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) open house on May 10 in conjunction with Chicago Water Week. 

The MWRD welcomed visitors for a behind-the-scenes look at how the Calumet WRP transforms water and protects the region’s environment with tours of operations and visits with scientists, engineers and other staff to learn about what the MWRD does.

“We thank residents for spending some of their Saturday at our Calumet plant to learn about the MWRD and our work to protect our water environment,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “This open house educated residents on the importance of our work and empowers them with resources and information so they can all play a role in helping us protect our water resources.”

Calumet WRP is the oldest of the MWRD’s seven WRPs. In operation since 1922, it serves residents and businesses in the southern portion of Cook County which includes 1 million people living in a 300 square mile area from the far South Side of Chicago and 48 surrounding south and southwest suburbs.

Nearly a dozen Cub Scout packs took part in the event to learn how resources are recovered, wastewater is treated, and clean water is returned safely to the environment. MWRD staff from multiple disciplines were on hand to answer questions, showcase the plant’s operations, and highlight the importance of water stewardship. Guests received free oak tree saplings, milkweed seeds and native wildflower seeds to support stormwater management and protect monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Visitors could also drop off unwanted medicine as part of the MWRD’s collection campaign to keep pharmaceuticals out of our water.

This event was one of many activities planned as part of Current’s Chicago Water Week. To acknowledge this year’s Chicago Water Week from May 4 to May 10 the MWRD Board of Commissioners on May 1 sponsored a Chicago Water Week resolution. Partnering organizations hosted a variety of events throughout the week. The MWRD also hosted a virtual tour on May 8.

“Chicago Water Week plays a pivotal role in helping to address the critical issues that exist within our water environment,” said MWRD Commissioner Beth McElroy Kirkwood. “By hosting events like the open house, we can encourage a new generation to take ownership of their water environment.”

In addition to Chicago Water Week, the open house coincided with national Infrastructure Week elevating the importance of investing in America's water infrastructure. The campaign states that last year alone, the gap between water infrastructure needs and spending in the U.S. was $91 billion; and if trends continue, the gap will reach $2 trillion by 2043.