Chicago Water District's 5-Year Plan Targets Flood Infrastructure Upgrades
ENR Midwest reports that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago has released a draft five-year strategic plan covering 2026 through 2030, with public comments accepted through July 24. The plan, which serves roughly 5.19 million people across 128 Cook County communities, centers on strengthening wastewater and stormwater systems, improving climate resilience, and modernizing operations under four pillars: Wastewater and Stormwater Management, Business Resilience, Resource Development and Management, and Proactive Evolution.
The district is still expanding its $3.8 billion Deep Tunnel system (TARP), including the McCook Reservoir excavation project expected to finish in 2032. MWRD spokesperson Allison Fore said the tunnel captured more than 13 billion gallons during heavy July rains, with McCook filling completely for the sixth time this year, more than the previous five years combined. Separately, MWRD and the city of Chicago are investing $15 million in two underground “wing storage” facilities on the city’s west side, expected to add nearly 1.7 million gallons of stormwater capacity and reduce flooding for more than 2,900 homes and businesses.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Civil and underground utility contractors should track the McCook Reservoir excavation, running through 2032, and similar tunnel/reservoir work as MWRD continues investing in gray infrastructure beyond TARP’s substantial completion.
- The $15 million wing storage project in Chicago’s west side signals more underground stormwater storage contracts ahead; excavation, concrete, and sewer-tie-in specialists should watch for similar municipal packages as MWRD scales green and gray infrastructure investment.
- Firms with instrumentation, controls, or AI/machine-learning integration experience have an opening as MWRD tests these technologies in treatment and collection systems, with plans to expand deployment based on results.
