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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📷 Construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal extension near the Lockport Powerhouse on May 14, 1906.

📣 Join our virtual tour on Tuesday, February 10, from 2-3:15 p.m. to learn how the #MWRD protects public health and the environment ⬇️
https://mwrd.org/education/tours/virtual-tours
January 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
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👤 Join us in person at #BedfordPark Village Hall for the 2026 Q1 Watershed Planning Council Meeting for the Cal-Sag Channel.

🗓️ Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 6:00 P.M.
📍6701 S. Archer Road

Details: mwrd.org/events/cal-s...

Learn more at mwrd.org/wpc.

#Chicago #watershed #MWRD #CalumetSaganashkeeChannel
A graphic of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago titled "Quarterly Watershed Planning Council Meeting." It announces Q1 coverage of the Cal-Sag Channel watershed. Event details list Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Bedford Park Village Hall, 6701 S. Archer Rd. A map of Cook County highlights the Cal-Sag Channel watershed area. Text at the bottom reads: "Stay updated on MWRD projects in your watershed, revisions to the Watershed Management Ordinance, maintenance work, local stormwater issues and updates from other government agencies," followed by the URL mwrd.org/wpc.
January 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM
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🗓️ Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 11:00 A.M. via Zoom

Join us for the 2026 Q1 Watershed Planning Council Meeting for the Lower Des Plaines Tributaries.
🌊 mwrd.org/events/ldpr-...

Learn more at mwrd.org/wpc.

#Chicago #watershed #CookCounty #MWRD #DesPlainesRiver
Graphic flyer titled "Quarterly Watershed Planning Council Meeting." It announces Q1 coverage of the Lower Des Plaines Tributaries watershed. Event details list Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., as a virtual event. A map of Cook County highlights the Lower Des Plaines Tributaries watershed area. Text at the bottom reads: "Stay updated on MWRD projects in your watershed, revisions to the Watershed Management Ordinance, maintenance work, local stormwater issues and updates from other government agencies," followed by the URL mwrd.org/wpc.
January 27, 2026 at 3:57 PM
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Join us today, Jan. 27 at 10:00 A.M. for the 2026 Q1 Watershed Planning Council Meeting for the North Branch of the Chicago River.

Join the livestream:
mwrd.org/events/nbcr-...

Learn more at mwrd.org/wpc.

#Chicago #watershed #ChicagoRiver
Graphic flyer titled "Quarterly Watershed Planning Council Meeting." It announces Q1 coverage of the North Branch of the Chicago River watershed. Event details list Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., as a virtual event. A map of Cook County highlights the North Branch of the Chicago River watershed area. Text at the bottom reads: "Stay updated on MWRD projects in your watershed, revisions to the Watershed Management Ordinance, maintenance work, local stormwater issues and updates from other government agencies," followed by the URL mwrd.org/wpc.
January 27, 2026 at 1:55 PM
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📷 A view of Irving Park Road in Chicago on April 8, 1903, looking east towards the bridge over the North Branch of the Chicago River.

📣 Learn how the #MWRD protects the environment on our February 10 virtual tour. Register: https://mwrd.org/education/tours/virtual-tours
January 27, 2026 at 1:00 PM
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MWRD to kick off #BlackHistoryMonth with flag raising and host celebration of 100 years of Black excellence in STEM and water.

Monday, Feb. 2 at 10 a.m. - Pan-African flag raising ceremony

Register for the Feb. 26 event at: mwrd.org/events/waves...

📰 mwrd.org/news/mwrd-ki...

#MWRD #Chicago
Graphic from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago announcing Black History Month events. The headline reads, “MWRD to kick off Black History Month with flag raising and host celebration of 100 years of Black excellence in STEM and water.” The graphic includes event details for a Pan-African flag raising on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building in Chicago, and a public noon celebration on Thursday, Feb. 26, themed “Waves of Innovation: 100 Years of Black Excellence in STEM and Water,” featuring Dr. Kelli Easterly. The MWRD seal appears at the top, set against a transparent Pan-African flag background in red, black, and green.
January 26, 2026 at 5:18 PM
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📷 A steam engine and train cars near Lemont on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) on August 27, 1924.

🏗 The MWRD reversed the Chicago River in 1900 by constructing the CSSC to take wastewater away from Lake Michigan. Learn more on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️
https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
A steam locomotive pulling a long train along the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal on August 27, 1924. The MWRD reversed the Chicago River in 1900 by constructing the CSSC to take wastewater away from Lake Michigan. The canal construction was one of the world’s largest public works excavations and was named one of the “Seven Wonders of American Engineering” by the ASCE in 1955. Several of the engineers, including Chief Engineer Isham Randolph, went on to help build the Panama Canal.
January 26, 2026 at 1:00 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: Construction of West Side Sewage Works on August 15, 1928. West Side eventually became part of the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, which serves 2.3 million people within 260 square miles in Cook County. Request an in-person tour ⬇️
https://mwrd.org/education/tours
Construction of West Side Sewage Works (now Stickney Water Reclamation Plant) in Cicero, Illinois, on August 15, 1928. The Stickney Water Reclamation Plant serves 2.3 million people within 260 square miles in Cook County. Workers are seen with a large-scale pipeline system with multiple massive pipes and scaffolding in an open excavation site.
January 25, 2026 at 1:00 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: An interior view of a nearly complete section of the North Side sewer on April 13, 1925. Learn how the #MWRD protects water quality ⬇️
https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/protecting-water-quality
An interior view of a nearly complete section of the North Side sewer on April 13, 1925. A worker stands inside a curved sewer tunnel with metal supports and wooden planks on the ground.
January 24, 2026 at 1:00 PM
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We were thawed out by the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day. Parade organizers greeted our President Kari K. Steele, Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn and staff with a formal invitation to the 71st Annual Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

🇺🇸🇮🇪 #parade #StPatrickDay2026 🍀
January 23, 2026 at 8:49 PM
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Join us for "Small Business Success Stories," a new monthly Zoom series that highlights small and diverse businesses that have partnered successfully with the #MWRD.

🗓️ Friday, January 30, 2026, 11 a.m.
🎙️Speaker: Warren Bennie, founder of BCE-USA
Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Promotional graphic for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) advertising “MWRD Diversity’s Small Business Success Stories.” The flyer lists the event date and time as Friday, January 30, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The MWRD seal appears at the top left. A small headshot photo appears under the headline identifying the featured speaker as Warren Bennie, Founder of BCE-USA. The event is hosted by Richard L. Martinez Jr., MWRD Diversity Administrator. A QR code appears near the bottom with the text “Register Here.”
January 23, 2026 at 5:17 PM
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📜 On January 22, the #MWRD Board of Commissioners issued a memorial resolution in honor of #RickGarcia.

View the commissioners’ statements from the January 22 Board of Commissioners meeting beginning at the 10:10 time mark.
🎞️ mwrd.granicus.com/player/clip/...

MWRD Board of Commissioners: MWRD.BOC
A formal memorial resolution document from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago honoring the life of Rick Garcia. The layout features a blue border, a skyline graphic at the top, and the District’s official seal centered on the page. The text details Rick Garcia’s lifelong LGBTQ+ advocacy, civil rights leadership, and legislative impact in Chicago, Illinois, and nationally. The resolution is dated January 22, 2026, and is issued by the Board of Commissioners, listing: Kari K. Steele, President; Patricia Theresa Flynn, Vice President; Marcelino Garcia, Chairman of Finance; Precious Brady-Davis; Yumeka Brown; Cameron Davis; Beth McElroy Kirkwood; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda; and Sharon Waller.
January 23, 2026 at 3:08 PM
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📣 We are accepting applications for “Sheet Metal Worker” until February 6, 2026. Apply to join a leading organization committed to protecting the environment in #CookCounty. 🌊 jobapscloud.com/mwrd/

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

#MWRD #careers #jobs #employment #JoinOurTeam
Aerial view of Chicago’s downtown skyline and Lake Michigan with dozens of sailboats in the harbor. A Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago recruitment graphic overlays the image with the text “Join Our Team!” and a bottom banner reading “mwrd.org/careers,” along with the District’s social media icons.
January 23, 2026 at 1:54 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: A view of the railroad tracks and buildings on the west side of the South Branch of the Chicago River between Madison and Randolph Streets on January 19, 1903. Learn about the work of the #MWRD on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️
https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
Two men stand atop freight train cars beside multiple railroad tracks and buildings on the west side of the South Branch of the Chicago River between Madison and Randolph Streets, looking south from the Randolph Street truss bridge, taken during a survey of the area on January 19, 1903.
January 23, 2026 at 1:00 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: Construction of the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant on May 2, 1922. Request an in-person tour for your community or school group ⬇️
https://mwrd.org/education/tours
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞
Construction of the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) on May 2, 1922. In operation for 100 years, the Calumet WRP is the oldest of the MWRD’s seven WRPs, serving residents and businesses in the southern portion of Cook County since 1922.
January 22, 2026 at 1:00 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.
January 21, 2026 at 10:00 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: A view of early excavation for a new lock in Lockport, Illinois, on October 31, 1923. Learn about the work of the #MWRD on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️
https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞
A view of early excavation for a new lock in Lockport, Illinois, on October 31, 1923. The new lock was built between 1923 and 1933 next to the original lock and the adjacent powerhouse and dam, both of which are still in operation.
January 21, 2026 at 1:00 PM
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The #MWRD will hold its Board of Commissioners' meeting in person.

🗓️10:30am, Thursday, January 22, 2026

📍Main Office Building, 100 East Erie Street, #Chicago

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.”
January 20, 2026 at 7:34 PM
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Join us tomorrow, Jan. 21 at 9:00 A.M. for the 2026 Q1 Watershed Planning Council Meeting for the Little Calumet River Watershed.

Join the livestream:
mwrd.org/events/littl...

Learn more at mwrd.org/wpc.
Graphic flyer titled “Quarterly Watershed Planning Council Meeting.” It announces Q1 coverage of the Little Calumet River watershed. Event details list Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., as a virtual event. A map of Cook County highlights the Little Calumet River watershed area. Text at the bottom reads: “Stay updated on MWRD projects in your watershed, revisions to the Watershed Management Ordinance, maintenance work, local stormwater issues and updates from other government agencies,” followed by the URL mwrd.org/wpc.
January 20, 2026 at 5:09 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: A view from a point north of the construction site for a bridge at Canal Street on May 29, 1902, looking south at bridge construction materials and activity. Learn about the work of the #MWRD on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️
https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
A view from a point north of the construction site for a bridge at Canal Street on May 29, 1902, looking south at bridge construction materials and activity.
January 20, 2026 at 1:00 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: Three laborers with a compressed air rock drill during the construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship canal. The estimated date of this image is sometime in November 1896. Learn about the work of the #MWRD 📽⬇️
https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
Group of three laborers posing with heavy drilling equipment on a rocky construction site with unfinished concrete structures behind them.
January 19, 2026 at 1:00 PM
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Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an enduring inspiration to all who fight for dignity, social justice, and human rights.

MWRD.org

#MLKDay #MLK #MWRD #CookCounty #Chicago
Graphic honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., featuring a stylized painted portrait of Dr. King looking to the side against a blue, abstract background. Text reads, “Honoring the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” and “An enduring inspiration to all who fight for dignity, social justice, and human rights.” Along the bottom is the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago seal and a list of the Board of Commissioners: Kari K. Steele, President; Patricia Theresa Flynn, Vice President; Marcelino Garcia, Chairman of Finance; Precious Brady-Davis; Yumeka Brown; Cameron Davis; Beth McElroy Kirkwood; Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda; and Sharon Waller.
January 19, 2026 at 6:00 AM
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Good. Better. Best. 🐻 ⬇️
Our staff at Stickney Water Reclamation Plant is proud to treat the wastewater of the Chicago Bears, their fans and even opponents on their visit to Soldier Field. BearDown!

🏈 MWRD.org

#ChicagoBears #GoodBetterBest #SoldierField #MWRD

@ChicagoBearsNews.bsky.social
Graphic with the words “Good. Better. Best.” over a football play-diagram background. A curved photo in the silhouette of a football shows the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant’s circular treatment basins with the Chicago skyline in the distance. Text notes the plant treats wastewater from Chicago Bears games at Soldier Field. Chicago Bears–themed design elements and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago logo appear.
January 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: A view of the east abutment during construction of a bridge at Randolph Street and the South Branch of the Chicago River on June 2, 1902. Learn about the work of the #MWRD on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️
https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞
A view of the east abutment during construction of a bridge at Randolph Street and the South Branch of the Chicago River on June 2, 1902. Commercial buildings are seen in the background.
January 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM
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Historical Photo of the Day: View looking southwest at the partially completed, northernmost section of McCormick Boulevard in Evanston, Illinois, on August 17, 1925. Learn about the work of the #MWRD on our YouTube channel 📽⬇️
https://youtu.be/__yXMrBYek4
🏗💧💩🧪🧫🔬🌊🌞
A view looking southwest at the partially completed, northernmost section of McCormick Boulevard in Evanston, Illinois, on August 17, 1925. Workers are seen constructing a concrete road in a residential area with houses and trees lining the street. The road in the foreground is Green Bay Road (known at the time as Railroad Avenue). The MWRD completed construction of McCormick Boulevard (originally McCormick Road) in 1926.
January 17, 2026 at 1:00 PM