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MWRD Approves Improvements at Calumet Treatment Plant

1/28/2026

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
January 22, 2026

Board Action:

The MWRD Board approved item 26-0037, contract # 26-822-31 for $24,255,000 to $29,325,000 for TARP (Tunnel and Reservoir Plan) mechanical equipment improvements at the Calumet Water Treatment Plant, including work on the sewage pump’s suction valves dating from 1985, integrating the auxiliary chillers, and other work. There was some discussion of this item, to clarify its purpose and the expected useful life of the improvements, as it was the largest dollar item on the agenda.
The Board approved item IW 26-001, Amended Sewage and Waste Control Ordinance. Along with minor streamlining and clarification, it brings sections of the ordinance into congruence with USEPA reporting requirements on dental amalgam, streamlines processes for appeals and for serving notice, prohibiting interference with District monitoring activities, and classifying non-discharging categorical industrial users and requiring that they certify annually to the District that they have not discharged anything regulated. There was some discussion of this item, with questions to attorney John Murray on the purpose of the proposed changes, especially the new requirement for self-certification of the new category of industry, with the requirement allowing the District to have a means of contacting these industries and to track if they begin discharging regulated amounts.
Item 26-038 to go to bid for 14-year lease on a 2.5 acre parcel in Lemont for a minimum of $75,000, was approved.
There were no Deferred or Deleted Agenda Items

Stormwater Management

Item 26-0035, a 5-year permit to the U.S. Geological Survey to continue to operate the stream gauge at Summit was approved.

New Business

While the official minutes record no items, there were several items discussed. President Steele invited all to the Black History Month Pan African flag raising on Feb. 2. Commissioner Waller noted that the U.S. EPA will no longer include human health factors in its cost-benefit analyses, and drew attention to several portions of the District’s mission involving protection of health, and Commissioner Flynn seconded these remarks. Commissioner Brady-Davis thanked the Executive Director for having the live-stream of the reservoirs fixed.

Time of the meeting approximately one and a half hours including a five-minute break after the Committee of the Whole. There were no items for Executive Session.

Observer - Deborah Stone

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MWRD Adopts 2026 Illinois Legislative Priorities

1/13/2026

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
January 8, 2026

The Board adopted the 2026 Illinois Legislative Priorities and all other items on the agenda unanimously with little discussion.

2026 Legislative Priorities (Agenda #23, File No. 25-0968)

Seek amendment of the District Act pertaining to the industrial waste program, known as the Sewage & Waste Control Ordinance, to increase the civil penalty ranges for administrative show cause enforcements and for circuit court enforcements, and provide that civil penalties are also available for “per-pollutant” violations and regulatory multiple day violations. The goal is to incentivize industrial users to improve their pretreatment systems and comply with the Ordinance.
Seek amendment of the District Act to authorize pay raises for the Board (no mention of by how much) if the Board acts before January 1, 2027 and approves the raise by a 2/3 vote.
Seek to amend the District Pension Code to change the 4.19 statutory multiplier to the Actuarially Determined Contribution; raise the taxable wage base on which employee contributions are made to satisfy the Social Security “Safe Harbor’; and allow the District to use any lawfully available revenue source to make its statutory contributions to the Retirement Fund.
Seek to amend the District Act to allow those participating and completing the apprentice program to take the civil service exam right away. Because of the delay in people being able to take the exam, a number of these former apprentices cannot wait and take jobs elsewhere.
Seek to repeal Section 19 of the District Act pertaining to potential District liability for rain-induced flooding. This section dates to 1907 and was enacted to address issues related to construction of the Sanitary & Ship Canal. However, some plaintiffs have sought to utilize it for current and different situations. While the District has been successful in defending that this Section is not applicable, deletion of the Section would save the District time and money.
Identify opportunities to support legislation pertaining to water re-use and PFAS. Points to HB 2955, the PFAS Wastewater Citizen Protection Act which passed the House and will be picked up by the Senate in the 2026 Spring Session. Specific bills will be brought to the Board for a determination of support.

Other approved items deferred from December 18 meeting:

The agreement with the Cook County Sheriff for the Prescription Drug Take-Back Program for 2026 at a cost to the MWRD of up to $80,000. Comm. Davis thanked his Board colleagues for the 3 prior deferrals which allowed time for more review and consideration. Comm. Waller asked that the funding amount include funding for community events. President Steele asked that Comm. Waller provide an email explaining exactly what she wants. (Agenda #21, File No. 25-0885)
Awarding a contract for SEPA 3 Paver Walkway Improvement for up to $191,525. (Agenda #16, File No. 25-0962)

New Business

Vice President Flynn touted the enactment of the PFAS Reduction Act in Illinois which will phase in elimination of PFAS from firefighting equipment.

Time of meeting: 1 hour, including a break and Executive Session between the Committee of the Whole portion and reconvening as the Board to vote on all the items.

Observer: Priscilla Mims

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Board Votes on Several Resolutions and Again Defers the Drug Takeback Program with the Cook County Sheriff

1/7/2026

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
December 18, 2025

Agenda Items Approved:

After a month of deliberations and a public hearing, the board approved annual tax levies and adopted a 2026 final budget of $1.8B that includes investing in public infrastructure, stormwater and flood management, and with new consideration of the long-term environmental and financial implications of permit compliance. Soon to be available is an online interactive budget dashboard* The 2025 budget was just under $1.7B. Ordinance 025-0004A
They also adopted an Ordinance establishing the minimum qualifications and duties for the MWRD Inspector General and are convening search and selection committees for appointing an IG to replace the current interim, Patrick Blanchard, whose contract was extended thru June 2026 at the December 4, 2025 board meeting. 025-012
Previously twice deferred by Commissioner Sepulveda, the board approved a $250,000 contract with Web-based Compliance Software. Commissioner Sepulveda asked that in the future RFPs include a “no charge” provision to allow business to upload redundant information from other submissions. #22 25-0848

Agenda Items Deferred/Deleted:

For the 3rd time, Commission Davis asked that the Intergovernmental Agreement with the CC Sheriff’s Office for the Prescription Drug Take-Back Program in the amount of $80,000 be deferred so that his team can digest the responses received from MWRD staff. The board agreed to the deferral but voiced several strong supporting comments including those reported in the November and then again at the December 4 meeting. Brady-Davis said she understands that the issue isn’t the value of the program but who pays. Garcia strongly supports and wants more boxes in communities in 2027. Sepulveda asked that staff develop a strategy for getting the pharmaceutical association(s) more involved in 2027. #43 25-0885
Commissioner Flynn deferred a $191,525,00 landscaping contract for a Paver Walkway Improvement. No reason was given. #35 25-0962
President Steele deferred with no discussion the Recommendations for the State of Illinois 2026 Legislative Program. Expect to see it on the January 8, 2026 agenda. #45 25-0968

Other Interesting Items:

Authorization was given for payment to the Water Research Foundation for the 2026 Annual Research Commitment not to exceed $190,663. Commissioner Waller now serves on a new committee covering IT Data Centers: Understanding Economic Considerations and Opportunities for Water and Wastewater Utilities #20 25-0941

No Executive Session; All commissioners present; Length of meeting: 70 minutes

Observer - Diane Edmundson

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MWRD Approves Improvements at Calumet Treatment Plant

MWRD Adopts 2026 Illinois Legislative Priorities

Board Votes on Several Resolutions and Again Defers the Drug Takeback Program with the Cook County Sheriff

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