Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
@mwrdgc.bsky.social
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Protecting public health and the environment by treating wastewater and managing stormwater for Chicago & 128 suburban communities. Learn more at mwrd.org.

☎️ Report waterways issues by calling the MWRD Citizen’s Incident Reporting System at 800-332-3867.
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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago @mwrdgc.bsky.social · 2d
🏆 Join a leading organization committed to protecting water quality in #CookCounty. The #MWRD is seeking talented people:
⚡ Electrical Operator I
⚡ Electrical Operator II
🔧 Machinist

✍️ The application period closes on January 2, 2026. Apply: https://www.jobapscloud.com/MWRD/
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Historical Photo of the Day: A westward view of workers guiding traffic during maintenance of the Peterson Avenue bridge over the North Shore Channel on June 21, 1923. Learn about the work of the #MWRD on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️
https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞
Historic scene showing multiple vintage vehicles crossing a bridge with a posted 10 mph speed limit.
December 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
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Congratulations to the Fenwick Friars on winning the school's first football state championship!

On Dec. 18, our Board of Commissioners presented a resolution to Fenwick High School President Otto J. Rutt to celebrate this amazing victory & accomplishment months & years in the making! MWRD.org/BOC
Group photo inside the MWRD boardroom with Fenwick High School President Otto J. Rutt standing at center, holding an open framed resolution. He is joined by members of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Board of Commissioners and staff, all facing the camera and smiling. Commissioners pictured are: Kari K. Steele, President; Patricia Theresa Flynn, Vice President; Marcelino Garcia, Chairman of Finance; Precious Brady-Davis; Cameron Davis; Beth McElroy Kirkwood; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda; Yumeka Brown; and Sharon Waller. An American flag and the MWRD seal are visible behind the group. Formal resolution issued by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago congratulating the Fenwick High School football team on winning the Illinois Class 6A state championship. The document features the MWRD seal, “Whereas” statements describing the Friars’ season and upset victory over East St. Louis, and is dated Dec. 18, 2025. The resolution is signed by the MWRD Board of Commissioners.
December 19, 2025 at 1:50 PM
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🏆 Join a leading organization committed to protecting water quality in #CookCounty. The #MWRD is seeking talented people:
⚡ Electrical Operator I
⚡ Electrical Operator II
🔧 Machinist

✍️ The application period closes on January 2, 2026. Apply: https://www.jobapscloud.com/MWRD/
December 19, 2025 at 1:46 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: An interior view of the discharge chamber for the Calumet Sewer Pumping Station on February 26, 1920. Learn how the #MWRD protects water quality ⬇️
mwrd.org/what-we-do/p...
Two workers are seen in this interior view of the discharge chamber for the Calumet Sewer Pumping Station on February 26, 1920. Learn how the MWRD protects water quality: https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/protecting-water-quality
December 19, 2025 at 1:02 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: The North Branch of the Chicago River, looking north towards the Belmont Avenue bridge, showing boats and a shipyard on May 27, 1920. The MWRD completed construction in 1926. Learn about the work of the #MWRD on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️
youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞
The North Branch of the Chicago River, looking north towards the Belmont Avenue bridge, showing boats and a shipyard in the foreground on May 27, 1920. The MWRD completed construction in 1926. Learn about the work of the #MWRD on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️ https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4 🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞
December 18, 2025 at 1:01 PM
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📣 Review the latest invitations to bid on #MWRD contracts! Register as a vendor to provide goods and services to the MWRD and help protect our water environment ⬇️
https://mwrd.org/doing-business/procurement-and-materials-management
Illustration of two people holding puzzle pieces under text inviting vendors to register with the MWRD in English and Spanish.
December 17, 2025 at 10:00 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: Workers pour concrete for a section of McCormick Boulevard (originally McCormick Road) on September 21, 1925. The MWRD completed construction in 1926. Learn about the work of the #MWRD on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️
youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞
Workers pour concrete for a section of McCormick Boulevard (originally McCormick Road) on September 21, 1925. The MWRD completed construction in 1926. Learn about the work of the MWRD on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
December 17, 2025 at 1:01 PM
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MWRD scientists reported catching the biggest smallmouth bass in over 51 years of MWRD fish monitoring on the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS).

The fish weighed 3.9 pounds (1,770 grams) with a length of 19.7 inches (500 mm).

mwrd.org/news/mwrd-sc...
Two Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago employees stand on a research boat on the Cal-Sag Channel, wearing life vests and gloves as they hold a large smallmouth bass toward the camera. Trees, a bridge, and another MWRD vessel are visible in the background. A graphic overlay includes the MWRD seal and the headline, “MWRD scientists net their biggest smallmouth bass ever on the Cal-Sag Channel.” Below, a close-up photo shows the same smallmouth bass laid flat on a measuring board with a ruler, highlighting its length, while a gloved hand points near the tail fin.
December 16, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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The #MWRD will hold its Board of Commissioners meeting in person.

🗓️10:30am, Thursday, December 18, 2025

📍100 East Erie Street, #Chicago

Public comments may be made during the Public Comment period. Closed captioned.

Livestream: mwrd.legistar.com/calendar.aspx

mwrd.org/news/mwrd-bo...
A graphic with a blue swirls background symbolizing water, featuring portrait photos of the nine members of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago's (MWRD) Board of Commissioners. The headline at the top in white text reads, "MWRD Board of Commissioners Meeting." Beneath each photo, the commissioners' names and titles are listed in three rows from left to right with the following text: “Kari K. Steele, President; Patricia Theresa Flynn, Vice President; Marcelino Garcia, Chairman of Finance; Precious Brady-Davis, Commissioner; Yumeka Brown, Commissioner; Cameron Davis, Commissioner; Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Commissioner; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, Commissioner; Sharon Waller, Commissioner.”
December 16, 2025 at 1:50 PM
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📷 The corner of Halsted and Cermak looking east on January 5, 1937, during work on a nearby section of intercepting sewer.

📣 Learn how the #MWRD protects public health on our January 9 virtual tour. Register: mwrd.org/education/to...
The corner of Halsted and Cermak looking east on January 5, 1937, during work on a nearby section of intercepting sewer. The Skylark currently occupies this building. Learn how the MWRD protects public health on our January 9 virtual tour. Register: https://mwrd.org/education/tours/virtual-tours
December 16, 2025 at 1:01 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: The mouth of the Chicago River is seen looking west from Lake Michigan on July 17, 1923. Learn about the work of the #MWRD on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️
youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞
A busy scene at the mouth of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan on July 17, 1923. A ship appears to be on its way to St. Joseph, Michigan. Learn about the work of the MWRD on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
December 15, 2025 at 1:01 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: Inspection of the west gate of the Illinois and Michigan (I&M) Canal lock near Ashland Avenue in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago on May 2, 1914. Learn about the work of the #MWRD on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️
youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞
Inspection of the west gate of the Illinois and Michigan (I&M) Canal lock near Ashland Avenue in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago on May 2, 1914. In the years after the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal was completed, the I&M Canal became obsolete with shallow, stagnant water. Eventually, Interstate 55 was built on the canal right-of-way between Bridgeport and Summit. Learn about the work of the MWRD on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
December 14, 2025 at 1:01 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: Construction of a bridge at Randolph Street and the South Branch of the Chicago River, viewed looking east, on March 21, 1903. Learn about the work of the #MWRD on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️
youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞
Construction of a bridge at Randolph Street and the South Branch of the Chicago River, viewed looking east, on March 21, 1903. Workers are seen in the foreground and an elevated commuter train is seen in the background. Learn about the work of the MWRD on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
December 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
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📣 Join a leading organization committed to protecting the environment in #CookCounty! Apply for the following positions:
🖥️ Applications Administrator
🔬 Environmental Microbiologist

✍️ The application period closes on December 26, 2025: www.jobapscloud.com/MWRD/
A summer scene on the main stem of the Chicago River with kayakers in the foreground and the water arc of the MWRD's Centennial Fountain in the background.
December 12, 2025 at 1:53 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: An interior view showing construction of the Pump and Blower Building at the O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant on May 27, 1927. Request an in-person tour for your community or school group ⬇️
mwrd.org/education/to...
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞
An interior view showing construction of the Pump and Blower Building at the O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) on May 27, 1927. Originally named North Side, the O’Brien WRP has been in operation since 1928, treating wastewater from communities north of downtown Chicago. The O’Brien WRP currently serves over 1.3 million people in an area of 143 square miles and cleans an average of 230 million gallons of wastewater per day (mgd) with the capacity to treat 450 mgd. Request an in-person tour for your community or school group: https://mwrd.org/education/tours
December 12, 2025 at 1:01 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: Construction of the Calumet Sag Sewer system in an area near 114th Place and South Park Avenue (now Martin Luther King Drive) on December 11, 1919. Learn about the work of the #MWRD on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️
youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞
Construction of the Calumet Sag Sewer system in an area near 114th Place and South Park Avenue (now Martin Luther King Drive) on December 11, 1919. Learn about the work of the MWRD on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
December 11, 2025 at 1:03 PM
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Great information from WTTW - Chicago PBS with a reminder that too much road salt can harm our environment. Patty Wetli demonstrates how to #SaltSmart during the winter weather.

www.instagram.com/reel/DSD420W...

Learn more:
mwrd.org/community-ac...
WTTW | Chicago's PBS Station on Instagram: "When it comes to the use of salt as a de-icer, less is more.   So says the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, along with a host of clean water advocac...
In this video, WTTW News reporter Patty Wetli shares her insights on using salt to keep your walkways and roads safe during winter, while also protecting the environment. The SaltSmart Collaborative e...
www.instagram.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:48 PM
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📣 ICYMI @chicagosuntimes.com: “Curbing wetland protection will water down Chicago area’s natural safety system,” Commentary by Kari K. Steele, president of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

Read more - MWRD.org/News:
mwrd.org/news/curbing...

#MWRD #CookCounty #Chicago
A Chicago Sun-Times–styled graphic features an opinion headline that reads, “Curbing wetland protection will water down Chicago area’s natural safety system.” Subhead text explains that losing wetlands increases regional risk, and the byline printed in the graphic states: “December 8, 2025 | By MWRD President Kari K. Steele.” The left side of the graphic displays several paragraphs of printed text about proposed federal changes that would make it harder to protect wetlands and small waterways, the importance of green infrastructure, and the need to choose protection for future resilience. On the right side is a portrait of MWRD President Kari K. Steele, wearing a dark blazer and pearl necklace, standing with her arms crossed and smiling toward the camera. The bottom portion of the design includes a large decorative “ICYMI” pattern (for In Case You Missed It) in shades of blue and white text.
December 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: A view to the north showing work on the 8-track rail bridge over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Western Ave on April 19, 1910. Learn about the work of the #MWRD on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️
youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
A view to the north showing work on the 8-track rail bridge over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Western Ave on April 19, 1910. The MWRD built the bridge, which is actually four separate spans with two rail tracks each, between 1908 and 1910. Learn about the work of the MWRD on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
December 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
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📣ICYMI - Read MWRD President Kari K. Steele’s op-ed in The Chicago Crusader Newspaper as part of World Toilet Day: Sanitation is a human right, and the MWRD works every day to uphold that right with integrity, innovation, and service.

mwrd.org/news/world-t...
A promotional graphic styled like a newspaper feature. At the top is the Crusader Newspaper Group logo. The headline reads: “On World Toilet Day, MWRD Reaffirms Its Commitment to Safe, Resilient Sanitation.” Below it is a subheading: “November 20, 2025 | By MWRD President Kari K. Steele.” On the left side is a portrait of MWRD President Kari K. Steele, smiling and wearing a navy suit jacket and pearl necklace, standing with arms folded. On the right side, black text lists MWRD sanitation and climate-resilience investments, including infrastructure for extreme storms, water reuse, nutrient recovery, and green infrastructure that supports resilience and equity. Additional text emphasizes the importance of sanitation workers, human rights, and the MWRD’s commitment to service. The bottom portion of the graphic features a blue and white patterned background repeated with large letters “ICYMI.”
December 9, 2025 at 3:33 PM
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📷 A view to the south showing a bridge over the Cal-Sag Channel at Chicago Street in Blue Island, Illinois, on August 29, 1924.

📣 Join our virtual tour today, December 9, from 2-3:15 p.m. to learn how the #MWRD protects public health and the environment ⬇️
mwrd.org/education/to...
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞
A view to the south showing a bridge over the Cal-Sag Channel at Chicago Street in Blue Island, Illinois, on August 29, 1924. Join our virtual tour today, December 9, from 2-3:15 p.m. to learn how the MWRD protects public health and the environment. Register here: https://mwrd.org/education/tours/virtual-tours
December 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
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📷 Repairs to a section of the wall of the Chicago Sanitary and Shipping Canal near Lockport, Illinois, on September 5, 1917.

📣 Join our virtual tour tomorrow, December 9, from 2-3:15 p.m. to learn how the #MWRD protects public health and the environment ⬇️
mwrd.org/education/to...
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞
Workers are seen making repairs to a section of the wall of the Chicago Sanitary and Shipping Canal near Lockport, Illinois, on September 5, 1917. Join our virtual tour tomorrow, December 9, from 2-3:15 p.m. to learn how the #MWRD protects public health and the environment. Register here: https://mwrd.org/education/tours/virtual-tours
December 8, 2025 at 1:01 PM
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📷 Looking north up McCormick Boulevard toward Howard Street on February 3, 1928. Workers are seen dumping spoil from construction of the O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant, which is visible in the background.

📣 Join our virtual tour on December 9 ⬇️
mwrd.org/education/to...
A view to the north at an area next to McCormick Boulevard and south of Howard Street in Skokie, Illinois, on February 3, 1928, showing workers and a truck dumping spoil from construction of the nearly complete North Side Sewage Treatment Works, which is visible in the background. The material had been removed during excavation for a tunnel that connects the facility's Pump and Blower Building to the intercepting sewer. Now named the Terrence J. O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant, the facility has been in operation since October 1928 and currently serves over 1.3 million people in an area of 143 square miles. Join our virtual tour on Tuesday, December 9, from 2-3:15 p.m. to learn how the MWRD protects public health and the environment. Register here: https://mwrd.org/education/tours/virtual-tours
December 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
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📷 Construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal extension looking north from about 9th Street in Lockport on April 14, 1904.

📣 Join our virtual tour on Tuesday, December 9, from 2-3:15 p.m. to learn how the #MWRD protects public health and the environment ⬇️
mwrd.org/education/to...
Construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) extension looking north from about 9th Street in Lockport, Illinois, on April 14, 1904. When the CSSC was completed in 1900, it ended at the Controlling Works near Lockport. The Sanitary District of Chicago (now MWRD) built the extension to Joliet to allow for complete navigation from Lake Michigan to the Des Plaines River via the CSSC, effectively replacing the I&M Canal. Join our virtual tour on Tuesday, December 9, from 2-3:15 p.m. to learn how the #MWRD protects public health and the environment. Register here: https://mwrd.org/education/tours/virtual-tours
December 6, 2025 at 1:01 PM
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📣 Join us for the #MWRD Monitoring & Research Seminar on Friday, Dec. 12 at 10:30 a.m. 🌊

"Sewer Modeling for South Park Interceptor to the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant," with Weizhe (William) An, PhD, PE, Environmental Research Scientist, M&R, MWRD.

➡️ mwrd.org/events/monit...
A dark blue promotional graphic for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s “Monitoring & Research Seminar.” The title reads: “Sewer Modeling for South Park Interceptor to the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant.” Below the title is a rectangular headshot of the speaker, a man wearing glasses, a white shirt, and a dark suit jacket. Text next to the headshot lists the speaker’s name and credentials "Weizhe (William) An, PhD, PE, Environmental Research Scientist, Monitoring and Research, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago." On the right side, a curved design element reveals a background photo of a water treatment facility under a partly cloudy sky. A banner reads, “Join us in person or virtually.” Event details appear at the bottom: December 12, 10:30–11:30 a.m., 6001 W. Pershing, Cicero; phone numbers; and email for MnRSeminars@mwrd.org. A note states that seminars are eligible for Professional Development Credits/CEUs and that reservations and picture ID are required for plant entry.
December 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM