PUNCH #41 FOR KARI K. STEELE
NOVERMBER 5TH
IMPORTANT DATES FOR THIS ELECTION
Oct 21st will be the first day of early voting until Nov 5th Election Day
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WORDS FROM KARI K. STEELE
EVENT GALLERY
MWRD PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES
Addison Creek Ribbon Cutting
The ribbon cutting at MWRD’s Addison Creek Reservoir in August 2023 will protect 2,200 properties in six towns (Bellwood, Northlake, Stone Park, Melrose Park, Westchester and Broadview) with 1,700 removed from the flood plain. The 600-acre-foot Addison Creek Reservoir in Bellwood will hold 195 million gallons of storage capacity and connect with the Addison Creek Channel. Thanks to the continued collaboration between the MWRD, six communities, and multiple funding partners, there is now a MWRD Reservoir that will capture excess stormwater, mitigate flooding, improve local quality of life and foster new peace of mind during rain events
Strategic Plan
The MWRD’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan was crafted to outline key objectives, strategies, and initiatives for a comprehensive five-year period. Our staff are working to meet five overarching goals that form the cornerstone of our commitment to environmental and community well-being: Resource Management, Stormwater Management, Workforce Excellence, Community Engagement and Enterprise Resilience. Click the link https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/strategic-plan to review the MWRD Strategic Plan, or visit www.mwrd.org.
Overflow Action Day Initiative
The MWRD’s Overflow Action Day initiative urges area residents to use less water at home when weather forecasts predict significant rain. This allows sewers to have more capacity to handle increased volumes of water. Sign up to receive Overflow Action alert reminders on the MWRD website
MWRD Rain Barrel Program
The Rain Barrel program promotes local green infrastructure to capture rainwater from roofs and save it for later. President Kari K. Steele and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District partner with community organizations and local municipalities in Cook County to promote the rain barrel program. Since 2012, 154,191 rain barrels have been sold or given away. A rain barrel holds 55 gallons and currently cost $10.75 for seniors 65+ and $21.50 for all others. President Steele uses the rain barrel initiative to teach water conservation to area youth and spread awareness about the importance of green infrastructure.
Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP)
The MWRD’s Tunnel and Reservoir Plan, also known as TARP or “The Deep Tunnel,” is a system of deep, large diameter tunnels and vast reservoirs. TARP is designed to reduce flooding, improve water quality in Chicago area waterways and protect Lake Michigan from pollution. TARP includes four tunnel systems totaling 110 miles of tunnels, 8 to 33 feet in diameter and 150 to 300 feet underground.
The system currently has a capacity of more than 11 billion gallons for combined sewage and stormwater. TARP will have a total capacity of 17.5 billion gallons, when McCook Reservoir Stage 2 is complete. That is more than 4,666 gallons for each person in its service area!
Space to Grow
Space to Grow transforms Chicago schoolyards into beautiful and functional spaces to play, learn, garden and be outside. The schoolyards also use special design elements to help reduce neighborhood flooding. The dynamic partnership to transform schoolyards includes the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, City of Chicago Department of Water Management, Healthy Schools Campaign and Openlands. Since the MWRD and partners launched the Space to Grow program, President Kari K. Steele has taken pride in working with parents, teachers, students, and neighborhoods across Cook County to transform 34 Chicago schoolyards into beautiful and functional spaces that create multiple benefits.
MWRD Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) Facility Tours
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago facilities are open for tours! In-person tours are scheduled by appointment only at our seven water reclamation plants (WRPs) throughout Cook County. We also offer free virtual tours of the Chicago area’s water history and infrastructure. Request an in-person or virtual tour.