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 mile

s 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.

06/16/2026

Honoring Juneteenth: MWRD raises flag, celebrates freedom

Recognizing Freedom Day, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) commissioners and staff raised the Juneteenth flag at its facilities to celebrate liberty, inclusion and the pursuit of justice for the diverse populations it serves across Cook County.

The MWRD raised the Juneteenth flag on June 15 at all seven of its water reclamation plants as well as their headquarters at the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building, 100 E. Erie St., Chicago.

“The flag we raise symbolizes a compass that guides us through our history to the hard-fought freedom that was promised to all Americans on June 19th, 1865, on the day now recognized as Juneteenth,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “We thank everyone for coming together to acknowledge this moment that represents the diverse communities we cover.”

The MWRD Board of Commissioners passed a resolution in 2020 that would allow employees to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday for the first time. As recognition of this historic day increased around the globe, the MWRD continues to lead in recognizing the holiday and share in its meaning. From that point on, the MWRD has annually celebrated Juneteenth with flag raisings that recognize the holiday’s meaning and prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in meeting the MWRD’s mission of protecting water quality and managing stormwater for 5.19 million residents living in Chicago and 128 neighboring municipalities.

Juneteenth is an important milestone in American history, as it commemorates the emancipation of African American slaves. On June 19th, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas where he informed formerly enslaved African Americans that the Civil War had ended.

The Juneteenth flag holds special meaning in its symbols. The star represents freedom for every Black American and pays homage to the lone star of Texas, where the last enslaved people were freed. The burst surrounding the star represents a new beginning for all, and the arc represents a new horizon of opportunities for African Americans.

This Juneteenth in Chicago the highly anticipated Obama Presidential Center will officially open to the public in Jackson Park.

Learn more:
https://mwrd.org/news/honoring-juneteenth-mwrd-raises-flag-celebrates-freedom

See you soon!Join the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago as we raise the Juneteenth flag on Mond...
06/15/2026

See you soon!

Join the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago as we raise the Juneteenth flag on Monday, June 15, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

100 E. Erie Street,

Find our events at MWRD.org/events.

https://mwrd.org/events/juneteenth-flag-raising-2026

We had an incredible time joining Career Days at Acero’s Officer Donald J. Marquez School, Fairfield Academy and Turner-...
06/15/2026

We had an incredible time joining Career Days at Acero’s Officer Donald J. Marquez School, Fairfield Academy and Turner-Drew Language Academy! Each school made the experience uniquely their own, giving students a chance to explore future career paths in fun and meaningful ways.
At Turner-Drew in Chicago’s Princeton Park neighborhood, students led the way as emcees—guiding a lively panel of professionals from the public and private sectors, as well as entrepreneurs. They asked thoughtful questions and brought the microphone right to their classmates so everyone could participate.
Over at Brighton Park’s Fairfield Academy, the MWRD team rotated through multiple classrooms, giving every student the chance to learn about water, science, and the many careers connected to protecting our environment.
At Marquez in Gage Park, students rotated into a classroom filled with presenters. One science teacher held up a Periodic Table during the lesson—only to discover that MWRD brought printed Periodic Tables for every single student. A perfect match for future scientists and chemists in the making!
Fun facts:
• Turner-Drew is named after two influential scholars—linguist Lorenzo Dow Turner, known for his groundbreaking research on the Gullah language, and surgeon Charles R. Drew, a pioneer in blood banking and transfusion medicine.
• Fairfield Academy operates in the former St. Rita School building next to St. Rita of Cascia Parish.
• Marquez School earned LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council—the second-highest tier in the program!
Thank you to the students, teachers, and staff for welcoming the MWRD and helping inspire the next generation of water industry leaders. 🌟💧
Marquez - Acero Schools





-DrewElementaryLanguageAcademy

Historical Photo of the Day: A view to the southeast at the intersection of Lawrence and Western Avenues in Chicago on M...
06/15/2026

Historical Photo of the Day: A view to the southeast at the intersection of Lawrence and Western Avenues in Chicago on May 15, 1930, during surveying for the Lawrence Avenue conduit project. Learn about the work of the MWRD on our June 16 virtual tour ⬇️
https://mwrd.org/education/tours/virtual-tours
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞

🇺🇸 Happy Flag Day from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago!Today we honor the American flag a...
06/14/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Flag Day from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago!

Today we honor the American flag and the ideals it represents: freedom, unity, service and opportunity. Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the United States flag by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, and serves as a reminder of our shared history and the enduring values that bring communities together.

As we reflect on the significance of the Stars and Stripes, we thank those who have served our nation and all who work every day to strengthen our communities.

Wishing you and your family a safe and meaningful Flag Day.

🇺🇸

Historical Photo of the Day: A steam scraper removing topsoil on May 21, 1904, in an area between Montrose and Lawrence ...
06/14/2026

Historical Photo of the Day: A steam scraper removing topsoil on May 21, 1904, in an area between Montrose and Lawrence Avenues in Chicago. The Sanitary District of Chicago (now the MWRD) straightened and enlarged a portion of the North Branch of the Chicago River at the beginning of the 20th century in order to improve drainage and reduce flooding. Learn more on our June 16 virtual tour ⬇️
https://mwrd.org/education/tours/virtual-tours
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞

Congratulations to the Robbins Eagles, their coaches and fans and The Village of Robbins Illinois on the new Rocky Clark...
06/13/2026

Congratulations to the Robbins Eagles, their coaches and fans and The Village of Robbins Illinois on the new Rocky Clark Legacy Field. Today, our President Commissioner Kari K. Steele VicePresident MWRD Commissioner Flynn MWRD Commissioner Beth McElroy Kirkwood MWRD Commissioner Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda joined Robbins Mayor Darren E. Bryant to formally cut the ribbon on the new field located next to the MWRD’s Robbins Heritage Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration Project. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZifL0xJIjP/?igsh=MTh3M2I0Nm94NWliNQ==

06/13/2026

🇵🇷 Join us today at the Puerto Rican People’s Parade! The parade starts at Campbell Ave. & Division St. at 12:00 p.m.



🎥 Flags flying proudly in front of Papa's Cache Sabroso. Thank you!

Historical Photo of the Day: A view looking north from the roof of a building on Van Buren Street showing a Metropolitan...
06/13/2026

Historical Photo of the Day: A view looking north from the roof of a building on Van Buren Street showing a Metropolitan Elevated Rail bridge and the South Branch of the Chicago River on September 1, 1903. Join our virtual tour on Tuesday, June 16, to learn how the protects the environment by treating for Chicago and 128 suburban communities ⬇️
https://mwrd.org/education/tours/virtual-tours
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞

We are accepting applications until June 26, 2026 for the following jobs: • Site Remediation Specialist• Electrical Mech...
06/12/2026

We are accepting applications until June 26, 2026 for the following jobs:
• Site Remediation Specialist
• Electrical Mechanic

Apply to join a leading organization committed to protecting the environment in Cook County:
https://jobapscloud.com/mwrd/

Site Remediation Specialist
Duties: Performs professional site remediation work by monitoring investigatory and remediation activities at the field level. Supervises the collection and analysis of samples, assures site safety and assists the Engineer of Site Remediation in the analysis and presentation of data.

Electrical Mechanic
Duties: Under supervision, performs skilled manual work in the installation and maintenance of electrical circuits, apparatus, machinery and equipment.

Learn more about MWRD careers: https://mwrd.org/careers

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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