Sierra Club Notifies MWRD of Plans for Wetlands in Schaumburg

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
May 19, 2022

Public Speaker:

• A representative from the Sierra Club was the public speaker and he wanted the MWRD to be aware what is planned for the wetlands located on 55 acres near Rodenburg and Irving Park roads next to the Schaumburg Metra Station.  In 2018 the village of Schaumburg sold this land to Experior Transportation and the plan is to build a corporate headquarters, warehouse space and fueling station with storage tanks for trucks on top of the wetlands.  This will upset the natural ecosystem and destroy the natural flow of water, disperse wildlife, leaks in fuel storage tanks could contaminate underground water table, and the neighborhood and school will be exposed to polluted air.

​Board Action:

• The Board passed a resolution recognizing May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month and honored Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago, a nonprofit organization that has a “mission to advance civil and human rights for Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.”
• MWRD received the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2021 budget.  A budget that is comprehensive and understandable improves transparency for residents and assures that tax dollars are being spent appropriately.  To win this award MWRD leaders and the financial team met demanding criteria showing their commitment and professionalism.
• The board approved authority to advertise a  $11.4 million contract to furnish and deliver polymer.  Polymer is used in the wastewater treatment plants to create larger waste particles that can separate from water and to help manage the process of drying and condensing  biosolids.  The use of polymer makes the treatment process more efficient and cheaper.
• Commissioner Davis brought up the subject of rain barrels.  These barrels capture rainwater from roofs and keep this water out of the sewer system helping to prevent sewer overflows and flooding.  Rain barrel water is naturally free of chlorine, lime and calcium.  Rain barrels can be ordered from MWRD.

Observed by  Michele Niccolai