Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Historical Photo of the Day: Construction of the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) on the south side of Chicago on June 2, 1922. Calumet is the oldest of the seven MWRD WRPs and has been in operation since 1922, currently providing wastewater treatment services for more than one million people in an approximately 300 square mile portion of southern Cook County. Request an in-person tour for your community or school group ?? https://lnkd.in/gypwivSg ????????????????

???? This Thanksgiving, the MWRD extends heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated team, partners, and communities working together to protect our water resources and environment to ensure a cleaner, sustainable future for all. Thank you! ???? Explore more about the MWRD: https://lnkd.in/dRwC97wm #Thanksgiving #MWRD #CookCounty #CleanWater #Sustainability #StormwaterManagement #WastewaterTreatment

Historical Photo of the Day: A view to the north during construction of the Ashland Avenue bridge over the South Branch of the Chicago River on August 16, 1902. The bridge was built by the Sanitary District (now MWRD) and was open to traffic in January 1903. Learn how the #MWRD protects public health and safety by treating #wastewater and managing #stormwater for Chicago and 128 suburban communities ???? https://lnkd.in/ds-riud5 ????????????????

Keeping the community engaged: MWRD forms unique council at one of world’s largest wastewater treatment plants As part of a visionary five-year strategic plan, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) launched the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) Community Partnership Council (CPC) during the 12th Annual Sustainability Summit on October 29. This initiative brings together local voices, experts, and MWRD leaders to strengthen community collaboration and advance sustainable water management. Over the next two years, MWRD staff will facilitate dialogue and work with members to promote transparency and explore partnership opportunities to address local concerns and enhance the quality of life in the Stickney/Cicero area. The creation of a CPC was brought forward in the goals outlined in the MWRD’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan and follows a similar CPC established at the MWRD’s Calumet WRP on the Far South Side of Chicago. "We are excited to launch the Stickney Community Partnership Council and build upon the success of the Calumet CPC," said MWRD President Commissioner Kari Steele. "This initiative underscores our dedication to being a responsive neighbor and inclusive partner in the communities we serve." The formation of the Stickney CPC marks an important step in the MWRD’s commitment to community-centered governance and sustainable development. The council will provide input into the MWRD’s efforts to address flooding concerns, environmental stewardship, and community well-being in the Cicero/Stickney area. The Stickney CPC is comprised of members representing diverse perspectives and expertise from the local community, representing both local residents and local businesses that are served by the Stickney WRP. Members include Delia Barajas, Cicero; David Bryant, LaGrange Park; Jill Bush, Chicago; Jacqueline Candelas, Cicero; Rebecca Fiala, Brookfield; Brittini Flatley, Chicago; Susan Joseph, North Riverside; Meg Kelly, Chicago; Richard Leschina, Cicero; Lido Manetti, Cicero; Larry Meyer, Stickney; Dave Peterson, Berwyn; and Ankur Singh, Cicero. "We believe that through open dialogue and collaboration, we can address challenges and identify opportunities for positive change," said Commissioner Yumeka Brown, CAE. “Together, we will work towards enhancing communication, fostering mutual understanding, and identifying solutions to shared challenges. The Stickney WRP serves about 2.2 million people, cleans an average of 700 million gallons of wastewater per day, and has the capacity to treat 1.44 billion gallons per day, making it one of the largest treatment facilities by volume in the world. More: https://lnkd.in/dEqjMApE #MWRD #CookCounty #Cicero #Stickney #Community #Partnership #Collaboration

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn, the MWRD Board of Commissioners, Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus M. Jones, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, city council members, and other participants came together to celebrate the completion of four new green alleys funded through the MWRD’s Green Infrastructure Partnership Program. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held at 664 Hirsch Ave. in Calumet City on Nov. 14, marked a major achievement in the city’s efforts to address stormwater management and reduce flooding risks through innovative green strategies. The four green alleys, capable of storing up to 447,000 gallons of stormwater per rain event, are designed to mitigate flooding while demonstrating the long-term benefits of green infrastructure to the local community. This initiative is part of an ongoing collaboration between Calumet City and the MWRD to invest in sustainable stormwater management solutions. The MWRD provided more than $528,000 toward the total project cost of approximately $660,297. These funds covered the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the green alleys. This marks the second successful green alley partnership between Calumet City and the MWRD, following the completion of three alleys in 2022 which have a total retention capacity of 344,278 gallons. Record rainfall in Calumet City in September 2023 overwhelmed local sewer systems, leading to widespread flooding and underscoring the importance of continued investment in stormwater infrastructure. Alongside these green infrastructure projects, the MWRD’s Tunnel and Reservoir Plan serves combined sewer areas in Calumet City through the Calumet Tunnel System and Thornton Composite Reservoir. The MWRD also collaborated with Calumet City and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning on a two-year study known as the Calumet City Subarea Plan that was adopted earlier this year. The plan outlines a shared vision for commercial development, transportation improvements and flood mitigation. In addition, the MWRD has also distributed more than 2,000 rain barrels to Calumet City and neighboring suburbs, as another form of green infrastructure to further support stormwater management and mitigate flooding. To view, the ribbon cutting, visit the MWRD’s YouTube channel at: youtu.be/rCRm6Z8NUeg. More: https://lnkd.in/dh8nP55G #MWRD #CookCounty #CalumetCity #Southland #StormwaterManagement #GreenInfrastructure #GreenAlleys Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Cook County Government Greenprint Partners Farnsworth Group, Inc.

Historical Photo of the Day: A view to the northeast showing a portion of a bridge at Throop Street over the South Branch of the Chicago River in Chicago on April 17, 1902. Construction of the bridge began in 1901 and was completed in 1903. Travel back in time to early Chicago and see how we developed wastewater treatment technology on our next virtual tour on Tuesday, December 17, from 2-3:15 p.m. ?? https://lnkd.in/gndBmh5n ????????????????

Historical Photo of the Day: A view to the south showing construction of the lock at Lockport, Illinois, on June 16, 1924. The lock was built by the state of Illinois and the federal government and opened in 1933, replacing the older, smaller lock that had been built by the MWRD in 1907, and it provided the means for movement of larger vessels between the Des Plaines River and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Learn more about the history and management of the Chicago Area Waterway System ????? https://lnkd.in/gETvWXcS

Historical Photo of the Day: The South Branch of the Chicago River is seen from the east side of the river just north of the Harrison Street Bridge, looking north, on September 15, 1919. The building at center and to the left of the "Lee Union-Alls" billboard is the Union Loop Power House, which the Sanitary District had acquired from the Northwestern Elevated Railroad Company and was demolishing in order to widen the river. Learn about the work of the #MWRD on our YouTube channel ???? https://lnkd.in/ds-riud5 ????????????????

Historical Photo of the Day: A view of work on the dock for the MWRD's electrical substation on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, looking northeast with the Western Avenue bridge in the background, on December 9, 1908. Learn more about the history and management of the Chicago Area Waterway System ????? https://lnkd.in/gETvWXcS

?? ICYMI WBBM Radio: Transgender activists and their allies took to Chicago City Hall on Wednesday to honor those in their community who have lost their lives because of who they are. At least 38 transgender people have died in Chicago so far in 2024, and Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd Ward) said she is sponsoring a resolution that makes the point that transgender people cannot feel safe, even in Chicago. MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis, the first Black trans woman elected to countywide office in Cook County spoke at the news conference. “I’m here to tell you this morning that we as trans people are part of democracy, too,” she said. ????? More: https://lnkd.in/d9p-cQFt #MWRD #CookCounty #Chicago #TDOR #WBBM #TransgenderDayOfRemembrance MWRD Board of Commissioners: https://lnkd.in/dJgJVTk6