MWRD FLOW - October 2025

Upcoming Events

MWRD Board of Commissioners September meetings
Thursday, October 2 and 16, 10:30 a.m.

MWRD's 2025 Latino Heritage Month Business Roundtable set for October 8

Did you miss the MWRD's Small Business Summit in September? For small businesses still eager to connect with the MWRD, don't miss this opportunity to hear from three leaders on "Strategies for Growth in a Changing Climate." MWRD Commissioners will moderate a panel featuring community leaders, including Chicago Alderman Gilbert Villegas, IHCC President Jaime Di Paulo, and Executive Director of Chicago UNIDOS in Construction, Juan F. Calahorrano, who will share practical insights on navigating today's business landscape. The program will also cover the MWRD's contracting process, actionable strategies for business growth, and the crucial role of support agencies, advocacy groups, and peer networks in helping entrepreneurs thrive. Register now to be part of an event that can open doors to exciting new opportunities!

Monthly Virtual Tour set for Wednesday, October 15 at 2 p.m.

MWRD to celebrate Latino Heritage Month with Stewardship event

The fifth annual Latino Heritage Stewardship Day, a joint initiative by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, the Forest Preserves of Cook County and Latino Outdoors, will take place on Saturday, October 18, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers will participate in activities that include the identification and mitigation of invasive species threatening the local ecosystem while gaining valuable insight into sustainable gardening practices aimed at creating a healthier environment. Register and the location will be provided at that time.

Monitoring and Research Monthly Seminar set for Friday, October 24 at 10:30 a.m.

"Developing a Regional Biosolids Master Plan for the North Shore Water Reclamation District."

On Friday, October 24 at 10:30 a.m., Travis Vodnik, Engineer, North Shore Water Reclamation District, Gurnee, IL, and Joseph Marino, P.E., Client Services Manager, Brown and Caldwell, Berkeley, IL, will discuss "Developing a Regional Biosolids Master Plan for the North Shore Water Reclamation District."

In person: Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, Lue-Hing R&D Complex, 6001 West Pershing Rd., Cicero, IL. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance by emailing [email protected]or calling 708-588-4264 or 708-588-4059.

Virtual: Go to Seminars and Presentations on September 26 for the link to access the seminar.

For additional information, please email [email protected].

The seminar is eligible for Professional Development Credits/CEUs.

Learn more

13th Annual Sustainability Summit set for November 13

Save the date for the 13th Annual Sustainability Summit to be held on November 13 from 10 a.m. - noon at the Town of Cicero Community Center, 2250 S. 49th Ave, Cicero, IL.

This annual event is dedicated to learning, collaboration, and action toward a cleaner, greener future. This year's summit will showcase innovative strategies, projects, and partnerships that protect our water resources, reduce flooding, and promote sustainability throughout Cook County. Attendees will hear from leaders in the field, discover inspiring community initiatives, and connect with others who are working to build resilient, healthy neighborhoods.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation and the solutions that are shaping tomorrow.

Register today!

MWRD in the News

Stormwater Partnership Program is seeking municipal partners

The MWRD can help local government organizations pay for the construction of stormwater infrastructure on public property in Cook County.

The program funds projects that address flooding through a variety of traditional engineering solutions including localized detention, upsizing critical storm sewers and culverts, pumping stations, establishing drainage ways, as well as green infrastructure. This infrastructure can reduce flooding and prevent damage to homes and businesses.

Regularly, the MWRD reviews applications and prioritizes projects for partnerships. The selected partner is responsible for their project's design, contract advertisement and award, acquiring any necessary property rights, construction, and long-term maintenance.

There are four partnership programs offered on a regular basis.

Learn more

MWRD's Small Business Summit creates new pathways for small businesses

The MWRD energized the local business community with its 2025 Small Business Summit held on September 9 at Malcolm X College in Chicago. The event provided small and emerging firms with direct access to upcoming contracts, insider knowledge of the procurement process, and one-on-one connections with industry leaders.

Throughout the day, participants gained insight from panels covering the MWRD's 2026 project forecast, the bid preparation process, organized labor considerations, and the integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. In addition to the panel discussions, one-on-one matchmaking sessions allowed businesses to connect directly with key decision-makers across MWRD departments and partner organizations. The program also featured dedicated networking meetups designed for veteran-, women-, African-American-, and Hispanic-owned businesses, creating opportunities for underrepresented firms to build relationships and expand their reach.

Read more

MWRD receives Outstanding Environmental & Engineering Geology Award from the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists for TARP

The MWRD received the 2025 Outstanding Environmental & Engineering Geology (OEEG) Award from the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists (AEG) for Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP).

This recognition highlights decades of innovation and commitment to protecting public health, improving water quality, and reducing flooding across Cook County. The award underscores the engineering achievement and environmental impact of TARP, one of the largest civil engineering projects of its kind in the world. The award was presented during the AEG Annual Meeting on September 24.

Commissioners, staff celebrate Egan WRP's 50th Anniversary

The MWRD celebrated the 50th anniversary of the John E. Egan Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) in Schaumburg on September 3, marking five decades of protecting public health and the environment in the northwest suburbs.

As part of the milestone, officials opened a time capsule sealed in 1976, offering a glimpse into the past while highlighting the plant's enduring contributions to cleaner waterways, reliable wastewater treatment, and local stormwater management. Among the assorted permits and other documents, artifacts from the time capsule included the guest register from the plant's dedication ceremony on June 4, 1976, the Chicago Tribunebearing the same date, a picture of the Board of Commissioners at the time, a Bicentennial coin proof and set, and 1976 postage stamps.

Read more

Unlocking the potential of industrial hemp cultivation; MWRD and University of Illinois research yields environmental benefits

Growing inches tall by the day, stalks of industrial hemp are rising through a greenhouse at the MWRD's Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, demonstrating how in only about two months this thriving plant can deliver numerous environmental benefits to produce multiple harvests per year.

In 2018, industrial hemp, a cannabis plant containing low levels (<0.3 percent) of the psychoactive compound THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), became legal to grow with a license. Since then, industrial hemp has received attention due to its numerous potential environmental benefits, including its ability to extract and uptake nutrients that formerly ran off in heavy rainstorms and polluted waterways. Industrial hemp is one of the best crops for carbon sequestration because of it has deep roots, grows fast growth and yields high amounts of biomass.

Read more

Czech Republic leaders meet the MWRD; stormwater management and clean water learning exchange through 35 years of sister city relationship between Chicago and Prague

Commemorating 35 years of sister city collaboration, the MWRD welcomed a delegation of leaders from Prague and the Czech Republic for a cordial and illuminating discussion on how the two counterparts are managing stormwater and protecting the earth's resources.

The knowledge exchange was hosted by MWRD Chairman of Finance Marcelino Garcia and attended by Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda and Head of Emergency Management and Flood Protection Specialist Rene Hermansky. The Czech leaders and MWRD engineers shared their experiences in developing solutions to address stormwater management challenges during a period of unpredictable and intense rainstorms brought on by climate change.

The Czech delegation visited Chicago in honor of the 35th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Chicago and Prague. While in Chicago, they expressed interest in learning more about the Chicago region's approach to flooding and emergency management, making the MWRD an ideal match to share knowledge. In addition to Chairman Garcia, the Czech delegation heard from MWRD Director of Engineering Catherine O'Connor and MWRD Assistant Director of Engineering Kevin Fitzpatrick and MWRD Principal Civil Engineer Richard Fisher, who presented the group with strategies and stormwater management partnership programs the MWRD has implemented across Cook County to mitigate flooding.

Read more

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Keep medications out of our water!

Medications can end up in waterways. This includes pet medications too!

These drugs can pass through our water reclamation plants (WRPs) and enter rivers and streams. This can harm fish, plant life and our waterways. Controlling what goes down the drain is an easy and effective way to protect the environment.

How you can help

You can help keep medications from entering our waterways by disposing of unwanted medicine properly.

• Never flush unused medications or toss expired medicines in the garbage.
• Take unused and expired medications to Cook County Prescription Drug Take Back Network locations.
• For over-the-counter products, monitor your supply. Store them in one spot in your home to avoid accidentally buying extras.

The MWRD is proud to play a role in collecting unwanted medicine and keeping our drains medicines free. Our boxes are located near the entrances at the Stickney, Calumet and O'Brien WRPs and in the lobby of the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building in Chicago. Do not leave medication outside the box. If a box is locked, please return during hours of operation or visit another location.

MWRD drug collection box locations

What is the key to pollution prevention when it comes to are Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manmade fluorinated compounds that are designed to be stable and have been in commercial use since the 1940s. The stability of the chemicals makes them difficult to degrade which is why they are often called "forever chemicals." PFAS are in commercial, consumer, and industrial products and and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that they are widely present in the environment; nonstick cookware, cosmetics, sunscreens, washing clothes, and fire-fighting foams can introduce PFAS into the environment.

Like other water utilities across the U.S., the MWRD is addressing how best to manage PFAS in the water environment. The MWRD's seven water reclamation plants (WRPs) do not produce nor use PFAS but are passive receivers of these chemicals discharged to local sewers. As a result, wastewater can contain trace amounts of these chemicals from industrial, commercial and household sources. The MWRD's WRPs were not designed to remove these chemicals during the treatment process.

The key to pollution prevention is addressing the source of PFAS.

The MWRD is closely following and proceeding based on the developing science on the potential impacts of PFAS. The MWRD is also working to identify and reduce industrial discharges of PFAS, learning how the discharge from these sources can be reduced and encouraging federal and state regulators to focus on stopping these chemicals at the source. The MWRD's pretreatment program regulates industrial discharges to protect the treatment process and valuable resources the MWRD recovers.

More PFAS information

Permanent Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collections

Dispose of your household chemicals responsibly and recycle your old computers.

• Tuesdays 7 am - Noon
• Thursdays 2 pm - 7 pm
• The first Saturday of every month 8 am - 3 pm

The public may drop them off at the City of Chicago's permanent Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility at 1150 N. North Branch Street (two blocks east of the Kennedy Expressway at Division Street).

Household chemicals and computers often contain hazardous substances, such as lead, mercury, and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) which can contaminate our air, soil and water. Through proper disposal methods or recycling, these hazardous substances are reprocessed and reused in an environmentally-responsible manner.

Coming soon! South Suburban College, 15800 State St., South Holland, will be the site of a new permanent HHW facility opening this fall. Residents will be able to dispose of household chemicals, rechargeable batteries, oil-based paints, solvents, medications, fluorescent light bulbs, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, auto fluids, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, aerosol cans and lawn, pool and hobby chemicals. This facility will be located next to the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) Center where residents can dispose of electronics, polystyrene foam, clothing and textiles, personal healthcare equipment and general household recycling materials. CHaRM has taken in nearly 2.5 million pounds of materials. Read more.

See accepted items

Doing Business with the MWRD

Watch a video on how to submit a responsive bid or proposal.

The MWRD Department of Procurement and Materials Management procures materials and services required for operations in compliance with the MWRD Purchasing Act. The mission of the Diversity Section is to ensure that minority owned (MBE), women owned (WBE), small (SBE), and veteran owned (VBE) business enterprises are given equal opportunities to participate in the MWRD's construction program and professional service contracts in excess of $100,000.

Our procurement process is designed to ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars, so we encourage you to register to become a vendor. Sign up for a weekly email listing new contract announcements by emailing [email protected].

Get started

Please report waterway blockages, suspicious dumping to waterways or sewers, or odors.

Call 800-332-DUMP (3867) or in Spanish 855-323-4801

Learn more

Tips to prepare your home for excess rainwater

Read our "Green Neighbor Guide"

Now is a good time to work on projects that can make your home more resilient to stormwater.

Discounted rain barrels available while supplies last

Discounted rain barrels are available to residents of Cook County through the MWRD website. Rain barrels capture rainwater from your roof for later use. They can help prevent basement backups, street flooding and sewer overflows by keeping rainwater out of the sewer system.

You can use rain barrel water to water your lawn or garden and clean your work boots, tools and bikes.

Rain barrels can hold up to 55 gallons. The overflow opening lets you connect a hose to direct overflow away from your foundation or to connect several rain barrels. Our rain barrels:

• Are made from durable high-density polyethylene.
• Come in four colors (black, blue, terra cotta and gray) and may have different shapes depending on the vendor.
• Include instructions, a leaf and mosquito filter screen, a flexible downspout connector, a spigot/tap, and an overflow hose.
• Free delivery.

Buy a rain barrel

Last month for free oak saplings in 2025

Through October, complimentary red, pin, bur, black or swamp white oak saplings are available at our water reclamation plants on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon through October.

If more than 50 potted saplings are desired, delivery is available, or park districts, residents and municipalities can schedule pick ups.

The saplings come in one gallon pots or can be requested as bare roots in bags of 100. These must be planted within days for premium viability.

Learn more about our Restore the Canopy sapling program

Tour an MWRD facility

Schedule a speaker

Request a community event representative

The MWRD actively engages with communities across Cook County throughout the year, participating in events such as back-to-school fairs, environmental expos, farmers markets, municipal gatherings, career days, and STEM-related activities. Our representatives provide engaging materials and interactive activities designed for all ages, offering insights into our work, areas of responsibility, and practical tips on how to enhance local water quality.

Request community event participation

Extras

Historical Photo of the Month

October 2025 Calendar