U.S. EPA, Senator Duckworth staff tour Calumet WRP, Space to Grow schoolyard at O’Keefe School, Thornton Reservoir

September 30, 2024

(L-R): Thomas "Nate" Mosley from the Office of Sen. Tammy Duckworth; EPA Region V Director of the Water Division Tera Fong; MWRD Assistant Director of Engineering, Kevin Fitzpatrick; MWRD President Kari K. Steele; Mia O'Connell, federal lobbyist; Dr. Andrew Sawyers, Director, US EPA Office of Wastewater Management; MWRD Executive Director Brian Perkovich and MWRD Director of Engineering Dr. Catherine O'Connor at the Thornton Composite Reservoir.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) President Kari K. Steele welcomed high-level officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth's office for a tour of critical water reclamation facilities and stormwater management projects. The September 24^th visit showcased the MWRD's essential work in protecting regional water quality and mitigating flooding throughout Cook County.

Attendees included Dr. Andrew Sawyers, director of the EPA's Office of Wastewater Management; Tera Fong, director of the EPA Region 5 Water Division; and Thomas "Nate" Mosley from the Office of Sen. Tammy Duckworth.

Together with President Steele and key MWRD staff, the group toured several important facilities, including:

• Calumet Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) and Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) Pump Station
  The Calumet WRP plays a vital role in treating wastewater for nearly one million residents across Chicago and its southern suburbs. TARP, which captures and stores combined stormwater and sewage during heavy rain events, prevents sewer overflows and helps protect local waterways. The stored water is later pumped to the Calumet WRP for treatment before it is safely released into the environment.
• Thornton Composite Reservoir
  One of the world's largest flood control reservoirs, Thornton Reservoir is designed to hold 7.9 billion gallons of water, including 4.8 billion gallons of capacity for combined sewage overflow, working to mitigate flooding and significantly reducing the risk of pollution in local rivers and streams. This reservoir is a key component of MWRD's flood mitigation infrastructure, protecting thousands of homes and businesses.
• Isabelle C. O'Keeffe School of Excellence
  The Isabelle C. O'Keeffe School of Excellence features a Space to Grow© schoolyard which opened in 2021. This innovative green infrastructure project can capture up to 250,064 gallons of stormwater per rain event, helping to manage stormwater while providing students with a range of outdoor educational and recreational spaces. Space to Grow is a partnership between the MWRD, Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Department of Water Management, Openlands and the Healthy Schools Campaign.

President Steele praised the collaboration between the MWRD, the EPA, and local officials, emphasizing the importance of continued investment in water infrastructure.

"These projects underscore the MWRD's unwavering commitment to protecting our communities from flooding and safeguarding the water quality of our region," President Steele said. "By working together with partners like the EPA and Senator Duckworth's office, we are ensuring that our infrastructure remains resilient and capable of meeting the challenges of a changing climate. These facilities not only enhance public health and safety but also contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future for all of Cook County."