MWRD - Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

09/19/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/19/2026 05:41

MWRD issues Overflow Action Alert

MWRD issues Overflow Action Alert

September 19, 2026

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With heavy rain underway in the Chicago area today, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) encourages area residents and business owners to reduce water use during and after the rain to help prevent flooding and protect water quality:

  • Delay showers and baths.
  • Flush less frequently.
  • Wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine.

"Our staff is managing billions of gallons of water at our seven water reclamation plants and through our Tunnel and Reservoir Plan which is operating to protect our water environment and mitigate flooding," said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. "We encourage everyone to conserve water when possible to create more capacity in our systems."

WHERE TO LEARN MORE

Learn how to prepare for stormwater: https://mwrd.org/community-action/you-can-help-prevent-flooding-and-protect-water-quality.

Learn more about Combined Sewer Overflow prevention: https://mwrd.org/community-action/overflow-action

Learn what you should do during flooding: https://mwrd.org/community-action/what-you-should-do-during-flooding

LEARN HOW MWRD INFRASTRUCTURE AND WATER SYSTEM OPERATE

Learn about the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP): https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/tunnel-and-reservoir-plan-tarp

Understand how the Chicago Area Waterway System works: https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/reducing-flooding/chicago-area-waterway-system-caws

Learn about the types of sewer systems in Cook County: https://mwrd.org/community-action/understanding-your-sewer

Request a presentation for your community: https://mwrd.org/education/speakers-and-outreach

Tour our facilities: https://mwrd.org/education/tours

Municipal partners can explore stormwater partnership opportunities: https://mwrd.org/stormwater/partnerships

SIGN UP FOR OVERFLOW ACTION ALERTS

Sign up to receive Overflow Action Alerts via text: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/YhH2xGP/MWRDSignup

Press Release
Wastewater
MWRD - Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago published this content on September 19, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 19, 2026 at 11:41 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]