Category: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

MWRD Approves Improvements at Calumet Treatment Plant

1/28/2026

0 Comments

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

0 Comments

MWRD Adopts 2026 Illinois Legislative Priorities

1/13/2026

0 Comments

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

0 Comments

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

1/7/2026

0 Comments

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

0 Comments

MWRD Board Holds 3 Meetings on Dec. 4

12/14/2025

0 Comments

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meetings
December 4, 2025

The Board held

The Annual Meeting at which President Steele presented her Annual Message which can be found HERE by clicking on the link “President’s Message 2025” (item 25-0893).
The regular Board meeting, with information provided below.
The public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget for the public to provide any comments, but no one spoke.

At the regular Board meeting, all items were approved, except for Agenda Items 20, 33, and 34, which were deleted by the Executive Director; and Agenda Items 9 and 32, which were deferred.

Commissioner Sepulveda requested a second deferment of an authority to advertise a contract to furnish, deliver and install web-based compliance software at an estimated cost of $250,000. (See the observer report for the November 20 meeting.) Since this was the second deferment, a vote had to be taken and the deferment was approved. There were no comments or questions about this Item 25-0848 (agenda item #9).
Commissioner Davis deferred Item 25-0885 (agenda item #32), the proposal to amend and extend the intergovernmental agreement with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office for its prescription drug take-back program at a cost of up to $80,000 for 2026. Comm. Davis said that he continued to have problems (also raised last year) with using taxpayer money for the take-back program which, now under law, the drug companies are required to pay for. Comm. Flynn and President Steele both expressed support for the MWRD continuing in the program, with President Steele saying that the MWRD contribution allows for receptacles and drug pick-up in communities where there otherwise would be none.

Also discussed:

Authority to advertise a contract to create in Harvey a 23-acre stormwater detention basin to provide flood storage and installation of storm sewer to convey the stormwater to the basin and allow discharge into the Wood Street storm sewer system. Cost is estimated to be between $11.4 M and $13.8 M. This project is expected to provide flood reduction for 209 structures. Comm. Davis asked about the annual maintenance costs for these facilities should Harvey not perform its duties to maintain. Exec. Director Murray said that they would be nominal. In response to a question from Comm. Sepulveda, Exec. Director Murray said that the MWRD had the sole authority to pick the vendors for the construction, with Harvey playing no role. (Agenda item 10, Item 25-0897)
Comm. Garcia thanked the Board members who back in 2007 created the Other Postemployment Benefits Fund, which is used to cover the costs of the MWRD providing medical and prescription drug benefits to qualifying employees and their eligible spouses and dependents. Under the existing policy, $5 M was to be provided to the Fund in 2026. However, the Fund is above 100% of its funding goal. So no payment will be made in 2026 and the Policy for the Fund has now been amended to provide that funds will only be deposited in the future to maintain the 100% funding goal. (Agenda item #1, Item 25-0908)

During public comments, Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita, a former MWRD Commissioner, presented a resolution from herself and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle congratulating John Murray on his appointment as the MWRD Executive Director.

Length of regular Board meeting: 55 minutes

Observer: Priscilla Mims

0 Comments

John P. Murray Appointed as Executive Director of the MWRD

11/24/2025

0 Comments

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board of Commissioners Meeting
November 20, 2025

After serving eight months as Interim Executive Director, John Murray was offered and accepted the position on a permanent basis. This was the second stint for Mr. Murray as an “interim”. He will likely be vacating the position of Director of Maintenance and Operations. #26 25-0875

Other Agenda Items:

Commissioner Corral Sepulveda deferred Item #6, a Furnish and Deliver contract for web-based compliance software at an estimated cost of $250,000. She then asked for information on the scope of the contract. E.D. Murray responded that they do not typically release information until the contract is complete, but he promised to send her a summary. #6 25-0848
Commissioners Waller & Flynn thanked staff for report on Public Notification of Dischargers found in significant noncompliance with pre-treatment standards or other requirements. See attachments #1-2 of the non-compliance report for the list of companies found not to be in compliance and a 4-year comparison. Item #20 25-0868
Commissioner Waller commented that she had addressed a question to staff on the possibility for allowing a reuse of water credit applied against noncompliance penalties and was given reasons why it could not work. She then challenged the staff to rethink its position. She also went on to mention that Congress has HR 2940 under consideration which would grant a 30% tax credit for onsite reuse both individually and in partnerships; and that the Water Reuse Association is looking for funding for water reuse projects when water and wastewater run thru separate sewers. President Steele said that she looks forward to a meeting with staff and Commissioner Waller to talk about her ideas and then to present to the full Board for a decision.

New business:

MWRD received the Outstanding Geology & Environmental Award. The deep tunnel, known as TARP, being built for water retention during heaving storms was cited as one of the reasons the Agency was singled out for this recognition.
Commissioner Waller noted the November 8 propane gas explosion at a Homeless encampment at a park on land owned by the MWRD on the NorthShore Channel. The blast was felt by nearby residents. She urged the MWRD to assist in finding housing, especially for couples who do not want to be separated, and to help facilitate the encampment removal before cold weather sets in. Steele asked Waller to meet with her that afternoon for Steele to put Waller in touch with local elected officials that could help with the situation. Flynn asked for Murray to provide information on previous MWRD efforts in regard to the encampment.
Commissioner Flynn congratulated all recent retirees from the MWRD.

Executive Session: Yes. To discuss minutes of lawfully closed meetings and to discuss items regarding the Open Meetings Act – 26 minutes. Attendance: 8 Commissioners present – absent: 1 (Brown)

Observer: Georgia Gebhardt

0 Comments

Commissioners Honor Former Commissioner Debra Shore and Chief of Staff Alfred Saucedo

11/12/2025

0 Comments

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
November 6, 2025

Agenda Items:

Request Authority to Review Proposed Amendment User Charge Ordinance of the MWRD. Commissioner Waller requested that a definition of reuse be added to the ordinance. Executive Director (ED) Murray asked that additions be emailed to him for inclusion. Passed unanimously with no further discussion. UC25-001- #1
The board approved without discussion the 2026 $20,384 annual membership fee for the Water Reuse Association. Water reuse legislation is becoming a bigger priority for the MWRD, and Commissioner Waller noted the work of the association and its members. 25-0807-#12
Authority to advertise Rebuild of Dewatering Facility. Commissioner Waller asked ED Murray why there was a rebuild on the same location rather than a new building, perhaps at a different location. Murray responded that decision was impacted by the planned extension of the CTA Red Line. Pumping of biosolids was a consideration. The current building is basically in good shape, so rebuild makes better sense than beginning anew. Also, location serves the drying beds function well. 28-0826-#16

Resolutions:

Board of Commissioner honored Green Corps for three decades of leadership in job training. 750 trainees have come through the program learning skills in horticulture, landscaping, and community gardening. Trainees receive nine months of training; 76% of participants have a criminal background. 65% have gone to full employment after training. Commissioner Precious-Brady-Davis said, “This is what equity looks like.” 25-0802-#2
The Board also honored Debra Shore and her chief of staff, Alfred Saucedo for their commitment to public service. Commissioners praised Shore for her work at the MWRD and as President Biden’s appointee as regional EPA administrator (2021-Jan. 2025). Among her accomplishments: creation of the pharmaceutical take back program, support of the Inspector General position at the MWRD, board member of the Great Lakes Protection Fund, and creator of Chicago Wilderness magazine. Commissioner Shore was known for her close questioning of MWRD business. Commissioner Davis stated that Shore and Saucedo were embodiments of public service at its best and that both remain actively engaged on environmental issues. 25-0843-#40

Executive Session: Session was held from 11:50 a.m. to 12:55 p.m.

Chairman Steele announced a 1:15 p.m. meeting for budget presentations.

In summary, most of the meeting was spent on public comments and the resolutions. There was no substantive discussion of any agenda item. No information on what was discussed in the executive session

Observer: Georgia Gebhardt

0 Comments

<<Previous

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

MWRD Board Holds 3 Meetings on Dec. 4

John P. Murray Appointed as Executive Director of the MWRD

Commissioners Honor Former Commissioner Debra Shore and Chief of Staff Alfred Saucedo

Author

Archives

Categories