THE METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT: WHAT THE AGENCY DOES AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSIONERS

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioners responsibilities include outreach to residents. PHOTO PROVIDED BY MWRD.
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioners responsibilities include outreach to residents. PHOTO PROVIDED BY MWRD.

 The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District: What the agency does and the responsibilities of the commissioners

BY TIA CAROL JONES
We’ve all heard of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. During the election cycle, names of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner are on the ballot. But, what does the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District actually do? Here’s
some insight.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, which was created in
1889 by the Illinois General Assembly, is a special service agency that is responsible for processing the wastewater and all of the stormwater in Cook County. There are seven plants located in Cook County that process the water, to ensure it does not go back into Lake Michigan, which is the fresh water supply.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District also has reservoirs
and tunnels that are designed to capture excess rainwater, with the aim to keep that water out of homes where it might cause flooding.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Kimberly Du
Buclet considers the agency a public health agency because of the
work it does.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioners set
policy for the agency – whether to invest in infrastructure or invest
money in tunnels. One of Du Buclet’s responsibilities as a commissioner is outreach. She lets people know about climate change and what they can do to mitigate climate change. She talks to residents about green infrastructure and rain barrels – which residents can use to collect rainwater and then use that water for plants and to wash their cars.

“It helps to conserve water, it helps to keep water out of our
sewer system, and it’s little things like that, residents can do to help
do their little part with flooding issues,” Du Buclet said.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District also is responsible
for ensuring the Great Lakes stay clean. The Great Lakes supply
70% of the fresh water supply in the United States. Maintaining the
Great Lakes and making sure the Lakes stay clean is move toward
ensuring there are no water shortages in the Midwest.

Du Buclet also goes over do’s and don’ts with residents as part of her outreach. One big don’t is flush wipes in the toilet, because it clogs up the pipes. Ask dean for a big do.

There are nine Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioners, they serve County-wide. The term of a commissioner lasts six years and every two years, three of those
commissioners are up for election. If a commissioner leaves early, before their term is up, an election is held to fill that commissioner’s term. Du Buclet ran for a vacant Commissioner’s seat in 2018. In
2020, Du Buclet ran for the full six-year term. Du Buclet believes it
is incumbent upon commissioners to let constituents know what they
do.

“They need to know that we are constantly aware of and working on mitigating flooding issues,” she said.

Du Buclet also works on environmental justice issues. She does this because she knows lack of clean water, flooding, lack of clean air and food deserts primarily happen in Black and Brown communities. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is doing is to try and help the flooding piece.

In August, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District awarded the Village of Robbins $20 million for the Robbins Stormwater Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration Project. Project like these throughout Cook County help mitigate flooding increasing stormwater drainage protection.

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