MWRD seeks participants for Community Partnership Council

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Residents, businessowners, organizations and community leaders are invited to apply to serve on a special council with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) to help protect and enhance their local water environment.

Applications are open at mwrd.org to participate in the MWRD's 2026-2028 Community Partnership Council (CPC), which will bring together participants from communities throughout Cook County. The CPC will provide residents with opportunities to learn about current MWRD programs, projects and priorities; share perspectives on community needs; collaborate on outreach strategies and partnerships; and help shape initiatives supporting environmental stewardship, equity and engagement in their respective communities and throughout Cook County.

"The MWRD is stronger when we listen to the communities we serve," MWRD President Kari K. Steele said. "The CPC offers an important opportunity for residents, businesses and organizations from across Cook County to share their perspectives, help us better understand community needs and contribute to the work we do to protect public health and the environment. We look forward to building meaningful partnerships and learning from the diverse voices of our region."

The 2026-2028 CPC is set to build on the work of previous Community Partnership Councils at the Calumet and Stickney water reclamation plants by expanding involvement to communities throughout Cook County. The goal is to provide participants with meaningful opportunities to connect with the MWRD and help inform the agency's outreach and community engagement efforts.

The two-year cohort will meet quarterly during standard business hours at various locations throughout Cook County. Each session is expected to last approximately two hours, and participants will be asked to attend at least six of the eight planned meetings.

Residents and representatives of businesses and organizations interested in joining the CPC will be able to apply through the MWRD's CPC page. The MWRD is seeking broad and diverse participation to ensure that a wide range of perspectives and communities are represented.

"Every community has unique needs, experiences and perspectives, and those voices should be part of the conversation when we are planning for the future of our region," said MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn. "The Community Partnership Council creates a meaningful opportunity for people from across Cook County to come together with MWRD, share ideas and help us find new ways to serve our communities and protect our water environment."