Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Learn more at mwrd.org.

☎️ Report waterway concerns: 800-332-3867. The MWRD’s corporate boundaries are located within Cook County, Illinois.

Protecting public health and the environment by providing wastewater treatment for Chicago and 128 suburban communities and serving as Cook County’s Stormwater Management Authority. We serve an area of 883 square miles which includes the City of Chicago and 125 suburban communities, including 5.25 million people plus a commercial and industrial equivalent of 4.5 million people. The MWRD's 554 miles of intercepting sewers and force mains range in size from 12 inches to 27 feet in diameter, and are fed by approximately 10,000 local sewer system connections. The MWRD’s Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) is one of the country’s largest public works projects for pollution and flood control. Four tunnel systems total 109 miles of tunnels, 9 to 33 feet in diameter and 150 to 300 feet underground. Two reservoirs are in operation and they hold more than 8 millions gallons of water, and construction is progressing on the remaining 10 billion gallon reservoir. The MWRD owns and operates one of the world’s largest water reclamation plants, the Stickney WRP, in addition to six other plants and 23 pumping stations. The MWRD treats an average of 1.4 billion gallons of wastewater each day. The MWRD's total wastewater treatment capacity is over 2 billion gallons per day. The MWRD controls 76.1 miles of navigable waterways, which are part of the inland waterway system connecting the Great Lakes with the Gulf of Mexico. It also owns and operates 30 stormwater detention reservoirs to provide regional stormwater flood damage reduction. The MWRD owns approximately 9,500 acres of property in Cook County for its operations. In conjunction with its biosolids beneficial utilization and farm land application program, MWRD recycles all biosolids in land application programs in northeast Illinois.

📜 Whereas, in the United States, more than 700 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day. It is estimated that i...
10/02/2026

📜 Whereas, in the United States, more than 700 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day. It is estimated that in 2026, approximately 321,910 American women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and 42,140 women will succumb to the disease. There are currently more than 4 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States; and

Whereas the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago salutes all the women and men diagnosed with breast cancer.

Resolution sponsored by the MWRD Board of Commissioners on Oct. 1.
MWRD.org/BOC

📷 A view to the north showing the 8-Track Rail bridge over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Western Avenue on Ju...
10/02/2026

📷 A view to the north showing the 8-Track Rail bridge over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Western Avenue on July 5, 1910. The MWRD built the bridge, which is actually four separate spans with two rail tracks each, between 1908 and 1910.

🖥️ Join our virtual tour on Tuesday, October 13, at 2 p.m. to learn how the MWRD improves our water environment, protects public health and builds flood resilience: https://mwrd.org/education/tours/virtual-tours

As we approach the 100th birthday of former President of Lithuania and U.S. EPA Region 5 Administrator Valdas Adamkus, o...
10/01/2026

As we approach the 100th birthday of former President of Lithuania and U.S. EPA Region 5 Administrator Valdas Adamkus, our Board of Commissioners took a moment today to present a resolution to his former EPA colleague David Ullrich, who plans to deliver it to President Adamkus in person.

From IIT and Marquette Park to Hinsdale and the EPA, and ultimately, the presidency of Lithuania, President Adamkus is an international success story and an inspiration to all of us in the water sector. We are grateful for his many years of collaboration and dedication to protecting the Great Lakes, our environment and public health.

Thank you for your lifetime of service, President Adamkus, and happy 100th birthday! With Lithuania.lt Commissioner Kari K. Steele MWRD Commissioner Flynn Commissioner Marcelino Garcia Precious Brady-Davis Commissioner Yumeka Brown Cam Davis 4 Us MWRD Commissioner Beth McElroy Kirkwood MWRD Commissioner Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda Waller4Water

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month, we recognize those affected by breast cancer, encourage conversati...
10/01/2026

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month, we recognize those affected by breast cancer, encourage conversations about prevention and early detection, and support for individuals and families affected by the disease.

📷 A view of a lumberyard on the east side of Stetson's Slip on June 12, 1903. The slip is located on the South Branch of...
10/01/2026

📷 A view of a lumberyard on the east side of Stetson's Slip on June 12, 1903. The slip is located on the South Branch of the Chicago River, just south of Cermak Road between Laflin and Loomis Streets.

🖥️ Learn how the MWRD improves our water environment, protects public health and builds flood resilience on our next virtual tour on October 13 at 2 p.m. ⬇️
https://mwrd.org/education/tours/virtual-tours
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞

Nearly 500 business owners, water professionals, government officials and small business experts gathered at Chicago’s M...
09/30/2026

Nearly 500 business owners, water professionals, government officials and small business experts gathered at Chicago’s Malcolm X College on Sept. 24, to make connections and learn about contracting opportunities at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s (MWRD) 2026 IMPACT Small Business Summit.

Hosted annually by MWRD’s Diversity Section, the all-day summit brought together small and diverse businesses, contractors, consultants, government agencies and industry leaders for a day of education, networking and relationship building.

The IMPACT Small Business Summit is a premier outreach event designed to educate businesses about participating in MWRD contracts and connect them with MWRD departments and leadership and other local resources. The summit provides opportunities for small businesses to build relationships with prime contractors, prime consultants, other business resource organizations and local government agencies that serve as sister agencies to MWRD.

“The IMPACT Small Business Summit reflects MWRD’s commitment to creating pathways for small and diverse businesses to participate in the important work we do throughout the region,” MWRD President Commissioner Kari K. Steele said. “By bringing businesses together with MWRD leadership, our contracting partners and resource organizations, we can help strengthen relationships, expand access to information and prepare more firms to compete for future opportunities.”

More than 55 exhibitors participated in this year’s summit, representing the wide range of work MWRD performs to treat wastewater, manage stormwater and protect public health and the region’s water environment. The exhibitor showcase provided attendees with opportunities to make connections, ask questions, exchange information and learn about programs and services available to support their businesses.

This year’s summit was built around the IMPACT Framework, which served as the foundation for the event’s programming, networking opportunities and overall attendee experience. The framework focused on six key areas: Inclusion, Market Access, Preparation, Access to Resources, Connections and Transformation.

The framework was highlighted throughout the day as attendees learned how to navigate certifications, compliance requirements and procurement processes; connected with potential contracting partners and government agencies; explored business development and technical assistance resources; and gained information designed to help them compete for future opportunities.

Read more at MWRD.org/News:
https://mwrd.org/news/mwrd-connects-business-community-contracting-opportunities-2026-impact-small-business-summit

Join us today at 6:00 p.m. for the Cal-Sag Channel Watershed Planning Council Meeting.📍14700 S Ravinia Ave, Orland Park,...
09/30/2026

Join us today at 6:00 p.m. for the Cal-Sag Channel Watershed Planning Council Meeting.
📍14700 S Ravinia Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462

Watershed Planning Council meetings are held quarterly for each watershed and provide an opportunity to learn about and discuss:
• MWRD projects in your watershed
• Revisions to the Watershed Management Ordinance
• Maintenance work by the Small Streams Maintenance Program
• Local stormwater issues and other updates from other government agencies

MWRD Stormwater Workshop: Summary and Takeaways
MWRD staff will provide an overview of the recent MWRD Stormwater Workshops, in which the MWRD met with over 35 communities in 3 weeks to learn about their upcoming projects and flooding problem areas. MWRD staff will provide a summary of the meetings, including the questions asked, community participation, event highlights, and next steps. There will be open discussion for feedback.

Details: mwrd.org/events/cal-sag-wpc-q3

Learn more: mwrd.org/wpc

The MWRD will hold its Board of Commissioners meeting in person at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Public comme...
09/30/2026

The MWRD will hold its Board of Commissioners meeting in person at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Public comment may be made at the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building, 100 East Erie Street, Chicago, during the Public Comment period.

Members of the public that are unable to attend meetings in-person are encouraged to participate by viewing the proceedings via live stream at https://mwrd.legistar.com/calendar.aspx. Electronic comments will not be read during the meeting but will be provided to the Board. If you would like to view the live stream of the meeting, click the “In Progress” link under the Video Column. The “In Progress” link will only be active when there is a meeting in session. Closed captioning is available. Please note the ending time of this meeting is an estimate only.

MWRD.org/News:
https://mwrd.org/news/mwrd-board-commissioners-meet-thursday-october-1-1030-am

MWRD Board of Commissioners:
MWRD.org/BOC

Overflow Action Alert Heavy rain is expected in the Chicago area today. Reduce your use of water during and after the st...
09/30/2026

Overflow Action Alert

Heavy rain is expected in the Chicago area today. Reduce your use of water during and after the storm to help prevent flooding and protect water quality:

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

Flooding and sewer backups can happen for a variety of reasons. To help prevent flooding inside or around your home, there are actions you and your family can take before and during rainfall.

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

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

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

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

For more information and explanations about how the MWRD’s infrastructure and waterway system operate, visit these links:

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

The top of the MWRD’s website displays a notification if an Overflow Action Alert is active. Visit mwrd.org.

Overflow Action Alerts are a joint initiative of the MWRD and Friends of the Chicago River.

📷 Intercepting sewer construction in an unknown location on September 11, 1928.📽 Learn how the MWRD improves our water e...
09/30/2026

📷 Intercepting sewer construction in an unknown location on September 11, 1928.

📽 Learn how the MWRD improves our water environment, protects public health and builds flood resilience on our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞

Address

100 E Erie Street
Chicago, IL
60611

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 11pm

Telephone

+13127516633

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago:

Shortcuts

Share

Category