For The Love of Water (FLOW) is a summary of news from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

Nearly a half-million gallons of non-road-grade liquid asphalt spilled into the canal this year. Under normal circumstances, this would be troubling, but federal resources could help address the problem quickly and effectively.

This impressive feat of engineering not only safeguarded Chicagoans’ public health but it also transformed the city economically.

Here in Cook County, we have one of the most complex and historic water systems in the country. Much of it was built more than a century ago and has served generations of families and businesses.

Considered an engineering marvel that reversed the flow of the Chicago River and transformed the city’s destiny, water from the Chicago River officially flowed into the canal for the first time in January 1900.

The MWRD will analyze the most at-risk portion of the local sanitary sewer system to determine infiltration and inflow sources within the nine communities, which are considered disproportionately impacted areas.