There is news about two major clean water projects in Illinois: one just completed and one yet to be started.
Upriver, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago has completed work on its two major sewage treatment plants and is now disinfecting the outflows. New ultra violet light systems are killing any nasties in the water being released back into the river system. With more storm water storage capacity in the Deep Tunnel, mixed sewage and storm water runoff will be released into Lake Michigan less often.
However … “There are no plans yet for a disinfection facility at the Stickney treatment plant, the world’s largest sewage treatment plant, which handles more wastewater than the rest of the MWRD system’s treatment plants.” — CBS News/WBBM
More from CBS here.
The Tribune’s coverage is here.
… and some cool pictures from WTTW.
Downriver, Peoria is facing hard facts about its sanitation system. Storm water mixed with raw sewage is released into the Illinois River after even a moderate rainfall, and the problem can no longer be put off. A Peoria Journal-Star editorial discusses the impact on taxpayers, and finds few alternatives.
The City of Peoria’s website warns about any contact with the water for three days following a rainstorm, and posts a map showing the area of the waterway most impacted.
Coverage of this week’s discussion in the city council is here. Officials acknowledged that an action plan is long overdue.
You must be logged in to post a comment.