Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

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.

Historical Photo of the Day: Excavation for preliminary settling tanks at the West Side Sewage Treatment Works, now part...
09/09/2026

Historical Photo of the Day: Excavation for preliminary settling tanks at the West Side Sewage Treatment Works, now part of the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant (WRP), on May 31, 1927. One of the world's largest wastewater treatment plants, the Stickney WRP currently serves over 2 million people and cleans an average of 700 million gallons of wastewater per day and has the capacity to treat 1.4 billion gallons per day. Request an in-person tour of the Stickney WRP for your community or school group ⬇️
https://mwrd.org/education/tours
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞

We enjoyed a visit today from Geoffrey Baer's Chicago (WTTW) and crew at our Thornton Reservoir as part of a future docu...
09/08/2026

We enjoyed a visit today from Geoffrey Baer's Chicago (WTTW) and crew at our Thornton Reservoir as part of a future documentary on the South Suburbs. The reservoir has played an integral role in protecting the region’s water environment, keeping polluted water out of our waterways and out of our basements and streets, collecting 15 billion gallons this summer alone to make Chicago one of the world’s most climate resilient cities. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/realestate/is-your-city-prepared-for-climate-disaster.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

09/08/2026

Shon Harris, president of LiveWire Construction, shares his journey as an MWRD small business partner, the opportunities that helped his company grow, and the importance of building pathways for other diverse businesses to succeed. Shon's broader work includes electrical, civil and mechanical construction and renewable-energy projects. His story is one example of the impact that can happen when small businesses connect with opportunity.

Join us on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, for the IMPACT Small Business Summit and learn how you can be part of the next chapter. Whether you’re new to public contracting or looking to expand your reach, this summit will provide insights, resources, and real opportunities.

Learn more and register for IMPACT SBS 2026: MWRD.org/SBS2026

🎉 It was a parade weekend for the MWRD! On Sunday, Sept. 6, Commissioner Yumeka Brown, her staff, and guests joined MWRD...
09/08/2026

🎉 It was a parade weekend for the MWRD!

On Sunday, Sept. 6, Commissioner Yumeka Brown, her staff, and guests joined MWRD staff and the office of Commissioner Sharon Waller for The Village of Robbins Illinois Back-to-School event. 🎒📚

Then on Monday, Sept. 7, Commissioner Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, her staff, and guests joined the office of Commissioner Beth McElroy Kirkwood and MWRD staff at the Schaumburg Township Labor Day Parade. 🇺🇸🎉

From celebrating students heading back to school to honoring the contributions of workers, MWRD was proud to join our communities for a fun-filled weekend!

Historical Photo of the Day: Construction of the Calumet Sewer along 104th Street looking east towards Corliss Avenue in...
09/08/2026

Historical Photo of the Day: Construction of the Calumet Sewer along 104th Street looking east towards Corliss Avenue in Chicago on May 13, 1918. Learn how the MWRD protects public health, improves our water environment and builds flood resilience on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️
https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞

🌳 Clean air starts with healthy trees! On International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, help us Restore the Canopy by p...
09/07/2026

🌳 Clean air starts with healthy trees! On International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, help us Restore the Canopy by planting a free native oak sapling from the MWRD. Trees help improve air quality, provide wildlife habitat and keep neighborhoods cooler.

There’s still time to pick up a free sapling at an MWRD water reclamation plant. Saplings are available every Wednesday through Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to noon.

🪴 Calumet Water Reclamation Plant
400 E. 130th St.,

🪴 Egan Water Reclamation Plant
550 S. Meacham Road,

🪴 Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant
1220 Sycamore Ave.,

🪴 Kirie Water Reclamation Plant
701 West Oakton St.,

🪴 O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant
3500 Howard St.,

🪴 Stickney Water Reclamation Plant
6001 W. Pershing Road,

Learn more: https://mwrd.org/community-action/native-landscaping/restore-canopy

📷 Tunnel excavation for a section of Intercepting Sewer in an unknown location on March 29, 1928.🖥️ Join us tomorrow, Se...
09/07/2026

📷 Tunnel excavation for a section of Intercepting Sewer in an unknown location on March 29, 1928.

🖥️ Join us tomorrow, September 8, to learn how the MWRD protects public health, improves our water environment and builds flood resilience: https://mwrd.org/education/tours/virtual-tours

This Labor Day, the MWRD recognizes the generations of workers whose dedication and hard work have helped build and main...
09/07/2026

This Labor Day, the MWRD recognizes the generations of workers whose dedication and hard work have helped build and maintain the infrastructure that protects our communities and water environment.

Thank you to all workers for the vital role you play. Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

📚🚽 What happens after you flush?Celebrate Read a Book Day this Sunday with MWRD’s free children’s storybook, “Where Does...
09/06/2026

📚🚽 What happens after you flush?

Celebrate Read a Book Day this Sunday with MWRD’s free children’s storybook, “Where Does It Go?” Join three water science explorers as they follow the journey through the wastewater treatment process. The book also explores STEM activities and careers in the water industry.

Read, explore and discover where it goes!
Download the book & watch the animation: mwrd.org/WDIG
Available in English, Spanish, Polish and Chinese.

📷 A view of a recently improved section of California Avenue in Chicago, just north of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Can...
09/06/2026

📷 A view of a recently improved section of California Avenue in Chicago, just north of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, looking north from the Illinois Central railroad viaduct towards 31st Street, on July 19, 1926.

🖥️ Join us on our September 8 virtual tour to learn how the MWRD protects public health, improves our water environment and builds flood resilience: https://mwrd.org/education/tours/virtual-tours

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

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