Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Historical Photo of the Day: A view to the northeast showing the South Branch of the Chicago River in an area north of 18th Street on July 11, 1900. Learn how the #MWRD protects the environment for Chicago and 128 suburban communities ???? https://lnkd.in/ds-riud5 ????????????????

Students had the opportunity to interact with environmental professionals, gaining invaluable mentorship and exposure to career pathways in the fields of water and environmental sciences at the Youth Environmental Summit. Learn more at MWRD.org/news: https://lnkd.in/dx5STT6G #MWRD #CookCounty #Mentorship

Historical Photo of the Day: Workers repair a section of wall on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near 16th Street in Lockport, Illinois, on July 11, 1911. The Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS) consists of 76.1 miles of canals and altered portions of natural rivers. Built by the MWRD and completed in 1922, the CAWS provides drainage for much of the Chicago region and is a navigation connection between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. The MWRD uses control structures to maintain water levels in the system and reduce the risk of overbank flooding from the system. Learn more ????? https://lnkd.in/gETvWXcS

Join us at noon! A ribbon cutting event for the permeable paver commuter parking lot at the Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens ???? ??7402 W. Lake Katherine Dr., Palos Heights, IL ??? March 25, 2025 at 12 pm https://lnkd.in/dn8jQvP7 #MWRD #PalosHeights

?? A view to the northeast showing workers on the west end of the Isabella street bridge over the North Shore Channel in Evanston on April 4, 1924. ?? Learn how the #MWRD protects #LakeMichigan on our next virtual tour on Wednesday, April 16, from 2-3:15 p.m. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gndBmh5n

Many thanks to EPA WaterSense for the recognition!?????? ?????? As part of our mission, the MWRD actively promotes water conservation through education, outreach, and community initiatives. We proudly participate in Fix a Leak Week, encouraging residents to repair household leaks to prevent water waste. Additionally, we support a rain barrel program, green infrastructure projects, and public awareness campaigns to help protect our precious water resources. ?? Learn more at MWRD.org. #MWRD #CookCounty #WaterSense #CommunityAction #FixALeak

??Join us for the MWRD Monitoring and Research Seminar on Friday, March 28 at 10:30 a.m.! ?? “Converting Invasive Hybrid Cattails (Typha x glauca) into Biochar and Its Impact on Water Quality” with Dr. Brian Ohsowski, Assistant Professor, Loyola Chicago School of Environmental Sustainability. This seminar will share emerging research on biochar amendments in the disturbed wetland systems to assess: 1) invasive species biomass response, 2) native wetland plant response, 3) shifts in plant and soil available ions (ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, chloride). Research illustrates the potential for biochar application to reduce mobility of macronutrients (N,P) and chloride in impaired wetlands, invasive plant biomass reductions, and a neutral response of native wetland plants. The MWRD hosts a seminar series at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant that is open to the public. These seminars are eligible for Professional Development Credits/CEUs. ??In person: Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, Lue-Hing R&D Complex, 6001 West Pershing Rd., Cicero, IL. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance by emailing Dr. Heng Zhang at [email protected] or call 708-588-4264 or 708-588-4059. ?? Virtual: On March 28, for the seminar link visit https://lnkd.in/gQ4JdmKz. The seminar is eligible for Professional Development Credits/CEUs. MWRD.org/events https://lnkd.in/dnyfFxBE #MWRD #Research #WastewaterTreatment #StormwaterManagement #CookCounty #Cicero #CiceroIL Loyola University Chicago

Historical Photo of the Day: Construction of the effluent conduit for the Terrence J. O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) on December 28, 1923. Originally known as North Side, the facility began operation in 1928 and was a model for modern sewage treatment technology. O’Brien WRP currently serves more than 1.3 million people residing in a 143-square-mile area that includes Chicago, north of Fullerton Avenue, and the 17 suburbs in northern Cook County. Request an in-person tour for your community or school group ?? https://lnkd.in/gypwivSg ????????????????

?? On World Climate Day, we recognize the importance of protecting our planet. ?? Learn how the MWRD is building climate resilience through innovation and sustainability. ?? Explore our Climate Action Plan: https://lnkd.in/duFWUQ6v ?? ?? ???? A monarch butterfly caterpillar perusing milkweed planted by the MWRD at Stickney Water Reclamation Plant. Milkweed offers stormwater protection and is a food source for the endangered monarch. ?????? An aerial view of multiple circular structures, anaerobic digesters, at a water reclamation plant, where biogas is produced and used as a fuel for boilers to produce steam to heat the facilities’ buildings and treatment plant processes. Internal use of biogas accounts for approximately a quarter of all energy used at MWRD facilities. In 2021, the MWRD beneficially reused enough biogas to heat approximately 11,500 homes in Illinois and offset about 50,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents. #MWRD #CookCounty #RecoveringResources #TransformingWater

Historical Photo of the Day: A view from the Jackson Street bridge looking south towards Van Buren on September 5, 1903, showing an area adjacent to and above the bypass channel on the South Branch of the Chicago River. The Sanitary District (now MWRD) developed a plan in 1895 to increase the capacity of the South Branch in order to convey necessary flow of water for the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The MWRD deepened and widened the waterway by dredging and replacing docks and bridges, and where bridge replacement was not feasible (roughly between Van Buren and Adams) the MWRD built a by-pass channel. Construction of the bypass channel began in 1898 and it opened in 1900. It was removed beginning in 1911 after adjoining property was acquired, allowing for widening of the river in the area. Join our next virtual tour on Wednesday, April 16, to learn how the #MWRD protects the environment by treating #wastewater Chicago and 128 suburban communities ?? https://lnkd.in/gndBmh5n ????????????????