Planning for Metropolitan Chicago's Water Future
Despite enviable access to the world’s largest freshwater system, metropolitan Chicago’s withdrawals from Lake Michigan are limited by U.S. law, while some underground water stores are being drained faster than they can recharge. And despite having some of the world's largest wastewater treatment plants and a recent history of innovation in stormwater management practices, basement backups, localized flooding, and combined sewer overflows are all too common in northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana. To support healthy communities, maintain environmental integrity, and attract businesses, sustainable and efficient management of our finite water resources and infrastructure is a must. In 2012, this project will focus on advocating for interjurisdictional strategies for groundwater conservation in Chicago's western suburbs, retooling federal and state infrastructure investment and conservation water management, raising awareness of the true cost of water services and infrastructure, and developing replicable pilot projects of community-driven water resources solutions.
What Our Water’s Worth is an ongoing campaign led by the Metropolitan Planning Council and Openlands to raise awareness about the value of water in northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana. From Lake Michigan to the Fox River, how we use our water resources – including what we conserve, how much we waste, and what we choose to invest in water quality – is up to each of us. Sign up for the monthly WOWW e-newsletter to learn more about our water and how you can protect it.
Starting in 2012, residents and business owners along Milwaukee Avenue between Kimball and California will be eligible to apply for funding to support property improvements that reduce neighborhood flooding, protect Chicago’s waterways, and make Milwaukee Avenue one of the most environmentally friendly blocks in Chicago. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $200,000 Green Infrastructure Grant to help finance green stormwater management projects along the entire corridor, such as green roofs, permeable pavers, rain barrels, and rain gardens. The Milwaukee Avenue Green Development Corridor is a joint project led by the City of Chicago’s 35th Ward, Metropolitan Planning Council, Ill. Environmental Protection Agency, and Chicago Community Loan Fund.
Water supplies do not heed jurisdictional boundaries, and neither should water management solutions. The Northwest Water Planning Alliance represents five councils of government, including approximately 80 communities and five counties (DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, Lake and McHenry), encompassing over 1.3 million people, and its purpose is collaborative water resources planning. In 2012 the Metropolitan Planning Council is providing technical assistance and policy research for the Alliance, focusing on strategies for interjurisdictional water conservation and efficiency ordinances
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Articles
Coalition urges 'exacting' search for new MWRD executive director-
- The Chicago Tribune published this letter submitted by a coalition of regional water advocates, including MPC, on March 15, 2011.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) is at a pivotal point in recruiting new leadership to manage the Chicago area’s vital stormwater and wastewater…
CMAP announces technical assistance grantees-
- The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s (CMAP) comprehensive plan for northeastern Illinois, GO TO 2040, was approved in October 2010. Now the region’s collective challenge is how to implement it.
With a $4.25 million grant from the Sustainable Communities Initiative, CMAP will…
Where do Chicago's mayoral candidates stand on key regional issues?-
- Much is at stake on Tuesday, Feb. 22, when Chicago voters will elect their first new mayor in 22 years from a slate of candidates that, for the first time in 60 years, does not include an incumbent. Through our Keepers and Seekers briefing book, participation in coalition efforts to advance the…
A Fork in the River: New video explores future of our waterways-
- It's been about a year since Asian carp hit the news in a big way. Here in the Chicago region our most notorious invasive species may have slipped from the front pages, but elsewhere in the broader Great Lakes region they are still very much on people's minds. Fortunately for everyone involved,…
MPC's 2011 Plan for Prosperity outlines recommendations for livable communities-
- MPC has released its Plan for Prosperity: 2011 Policy Objectives, our annual agenda for developing, advocating for, and implementing policies that advance our mission.
The 2011 Plan for Prosperity explains what we mean by “sustainable, equitable and competitive,” how that adds up to…
More related articles »
Multimedia
2012 Plan for Prosperity: Innovative Solutions for the New Normal-
- Publication
- (1 MB)
- Jan 12, 2012
- To read MPC's 2012 Plan for Prosperity, download the file. The following is MPC President MarySue Barrett's introductory letter.
Sometimes, things aren’t what they seem. For decades, the United States enjoyed what appeared to be boundless economic expansion. Consumers spent and borrowed…
- Karla Olson Teasley's Presentation at 11/17 Utilities Roundtable
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- On Nov. 17, MPC hosted the third event in its infrastructure roundtable series, All Systems Go: Engineering Sustainable Utility Solutions, which focused on water, gas, and power utilities. Karla Olson Teasley, MPC Resource Board member and President of Illinois American Water, presented Illinois'…
All Systems Go: Engineering Sustainable Utility Solutions-
- The third and final event in MPC's 2011 Infrastructure Roundtable Series, All Systems Go: Engineering Sustainable Utility Solutions featured representatives from ComEd, People's Gas, and Illinois American Water. Read the full event recap.
Before the Wells Run Dry: Ensuring Sustainable Water Supplies for Illinois-
- Publication
- (4 MB)
- Nov 19, 2009
- This report recommends coordinated planning and implementation strategies that will capitalize on the work of the pilot regional planning groups, integrate regional plans with state and local practices, and ensure the long-term sustainability and efficient use of our finite, fragile water…
- Executive Summary
Before the Wells Run Dry: Ensuring Sustainable Water Supplies for Illinois
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- Publication
- (1 MB)
- Nov 19, 2009
- This report recommends coordinated planning and implementation strategies that will capitalize on the work of the pilot regional planning groups, integrate regional plans with state and local practices, and ensure the long-term sustainability and efficient use of our finite, fragile water…
More related multimedia »
Reports
Before the Wells Run Dry
(2009) – Presents a series of recommendations for how Illinois can support and continue the existing regional water supply planning groups, reform state policies and programs to support regional water supply planning throughout Illinois, increase the efficiency of investment in water-related infrastructure, and ultimately reward local management that conserves shared water resources.
Troubled Waters
(2005) – Urged the State of Illinois to establish a statewide framework for regional supply planning, based on data, integrated management of surface water and groundwater, and inclusion of water demand analysis in land use planning.
Changing Course
(2003) – Examined the relationship between development practices and water quality and quantity in a 12-county northeastern Illinois region.
Collaborators
Openlands
Lenore Beyer-Clow, Policy Director
Northwest Water Planning Alliance
Peter Wallers, Technical Advisory Committee Chair
Funders
The Field Foundation of Illinois
Illinois American Water
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
The Joyce Foundation
