U.S. Clean Water Act Settlement in Chicago to Reduce Sewage Overflows

CHICAGO (Dec. 14, 2011) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the State of Illinois announced a Clean Water Act (CWA) settlement with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD). This settlement addresses claims of untreated sewer discharges in Chicago area waterways. These discharges occurred during floods and wet weather events. The settlement aims to protect water quality and safeguard public health. It captures stormwater and wastewater from the combined sewer system. This system serves Chicago and 51 surrounding communities. Notably, the initiative was designed with the central objective to reduce sewage overflows in the region.

“This consent decree requires MWRD to invest in green roofs, rain gardens and other green infrastructure to prevent basement flooding in the neighborhoods that are most severely impacted by sewer overflows,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman. Moreover, “The enforceable schedule established by this consent decree will ensure completion of the deep tunnel and reservoir system. This will control untreated sewage releases into Chicago area rivers and Lake Michigan.”

“These much needed upgrades to Chicago’s sewer infrastructure will reduce combined sewage overflows and the public’s exposure to harmful pathogens,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. Furthermore, “The use of innovative green infrastructure in the city’s urban core will reduce runoff and flooding. This will improve the quality of the environment where people live.” All these actions help ensure the reduction of sewage overflows in Chicago waterways.

Settlement with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to reduce Sewage overflows from stormwater runoff to protect public health

“This settlement mandates that MWRD make critical structural changes to improve the quality of Chicago’s waterways,” said Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. In addition, “By requiring green infrastructure projects, the agreement will also help reduce runoff and flooding for Chicago area residents.” In fact, these green updates play a pivotal role in efforts to reduce sewage overflows impacting Chicago.

Under the settlement, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) will, therefore, work to complete a tunnel and reservoir plan to increase its capacity to handle wet weather events. Consequently, this will address combined sewer overflow discharges, crucial for minimizing sewage overflows and protecting public health.

Additionally, the project will, importantly, be completed in a series of stages in 2015, 2017, and 2029. As the plan moves ahead, the reduction of sewage overflows remains a primary goal throughout the implementation.

Furthermore, the settlement requires MWRD to control trash and debris in overflows; thus, they will use skimmer boats to efficiently remove debris from the water. This not only makes it possible for the debris to be collected and properly managed. But, as a result, it also makes waterways cleaner and healthier and supports efforts to reduce sewage overflows in the area.

MWRD is also required to implement a green infrastructure program, which will ultimately reduce stormwater runoff in areas serviced by MWRD. They will, in addition, distribute rain barrels and develop projects to build green roofs, rain gardens, or use pervious paving materials in urban neighborhoods. By focusing on these strategies, MWRD is working to reduce sewage overflows and enhance water quality for residents.

Lastly, MWRD has also agreed, importantly, to pay a civil penalty of $675,000.

Raw Sewage Treatment is Essential

Raw sewage contains pathogens that threaten public health, leading to beach closures and public advisories against fishing and swimming. This problem particularly affects older urban areas, where minority and low-income communities often live. Keeping raw sewage and contaminated stormwater out of the waters of the United States is one of EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives for 2011 to 2013. The initiative focuses on reducing discharges from sewer overflows. It does this by obtaining cities’ commitments to implement timely, affordable solutions to these problems. This includes the increased use of green infrastructure and other innovative approaches, aimed at reducing sewage overflows and improving public safety.

Source

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355

More about EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives. The EPA continues to support projects that reduce sewage overflows nationwide.