MWRD - Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
04/29/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/30/2026 08:36
'Help Clean Up The Cal-Sag Channel For Chicago River Day, Volunteers Needed,' The Patch, Alsip-Crestwood
"Help Clean Up The Cal-Sag Channel For Chicago River Day, Volunteers Needed," The Patch, Alsip-Crestwood
April 29, 2026
Breadcrumb
The Patch: Crestwood IL: Join the MWRD and Friends of the Chicago River to protect and restore the Cal-Sag Channel in Crestwood for Chicago River Day, Sat., May 9.
Community members are invited to take part in a hands-on effort to improve the health of the Chicago-Calumet River system by joining a river cleanup at the Cal-Sag River Crossing in Crestwood.
The event is part of Chicago River Day, an annual, region-wide initiative to protect and restore local waterways, set for Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to noon, at 4890 Cal-Sag Road, Crestwood.
Join Crestwood Mayor Ken Klein, MWRD President Kari K. Steele, MWRD Vice President Theresa Flynn and MWRD Commissioner Beth McElroy Kirkwood as the local community comes together to clean up Chicago-area waterways, and maybe see them in hip waders.
The Chicago-Calumet River system is healthier today than it has been in over 150 years. However, litter and pollution continue to threaten wildlife, public health, and local communities. Volunteers play a critical role in removing debris, supporting ecosystems, and strengthening community connection to the river.
Volunteers ages 8 and older are welcome with a guardian. Younger children may attend as supervised observers. Advance registration is encouraged, as space is limited. Participants who register before May 1 will receive a Chicago River Day T-shirt featuring this year's highlighted species: the Virile Crayfish.
Ongoing efforts by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, in partnership with community organizations like Friends of the Chicago River and regional initiatives like Chicago River Day, have led to significant improvements in water quality. The river system now supports nearly 80 species of fish, including sensitive species such as the blue-spotted salamander, an indicator of improved ecosystem health.
Continued progress depends on a combination of daily water reclamation work, strategic partnerships, and community action like river cleanups.
Each year, volunteers across Chicagoland come together to care for local waterways, helping protect vital natural resources and foster a deeper connection between residents and their environment. Flynn has hosted the cleanup at the Cal Sag River Crossing the last two years and looks forward to continuing the tradition of keeping these waters clean.
For more information and to register, please visit Chicago River Day-EventBrite.
Media Coverage
Events, Wastewater
MWRD - Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago published this content on April 29, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 30, 2026 at 14:36 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]