Illinois Pollution Control Board hearing on Dissolved Oxygen

The IPCB is currently involved in a rulemaking to determine appropriate levels for dissolved oxygen(DO) in Illinois Rivers and Creeks. They are taking public comments on the rulemaking (R04-25) until December 20th. This is potentially a very significant issue for the Chicago River because it will determine the standards for the North Branch that is not exempted because it is part of the Use Attainability Analysis (UAA)

Case Details

If you would like to more information on issues that Friends think are important to comment on contact me and I would be happy to fill you in.

New MWRD study on Health Risks in Chicago River

The MWRD has just posted to their website a new study assessing the health risks of recreational use of the Chicago River during dry weather. They evaluated the risk from a variety of coliforms, viruses and other pathogens and found that total expected illnesses per 1,000 exposures is below the EPA criteria, and conclude that there is no justification for effluent disinfection at Northside, Calumet or Stickney Plants. The second half of the study will evaluate the risk from wet weather conditions including those related to CSO events.

Yellow Crowned Night Heron

Clean Water Principles

Clean Water for the Chicago River

The Chicago River weaves its way through our communities; it binds neighbor-hoods, towns and cities together. Its waters bring life to a startling array of flora and fauna, a scenic respite for residents, and economic opportunities for local businesses. Protecting its waters and wildlife, its recreational possibilities, and its role in commerce and as a transportation corridor is imperative to protecting this region’s economic, social and environmental health.

1. WHEREAS clean water is everyone’s right and responsibility, we support collaborations between government, business, and individuals to achieve the goal of a clean, healthy Chicago River.

2. WHEREAS the Chicago River system is a combination of natural and man-made channels and canals, we support working to preserve and enhance the character of the Chicago River and its uses for plants, animals and humans.

3. WHEREAS the Chicago River is impacted by any action taken within its watershed, we support efforts to improve the health of the Chicago River undertaken from a watershed perspective.

4. WHEREAS the Chicago River is affected by all land use in its watershed and the retention of open space is crucial, we support protecting and maintaining the current amount of open space within the watershed.

5. WHEREAS stormwater is a valuable natural resource, we support preserving, protecting, and utilizing the stormwater that falls within the Chicago River watershed.

6. WHEREAS there are numerous methods for controlling stormwater, which is integral to the improved health of the Chicago River, we support the development and use of green infrastructure to protect stormwater and the Chicago River.

7. WHEREAS it is critical to employ a fiscally responsible approach to clean water infrastructure, we support developing local financial incentives for funding clean water initiatives especially for updating aging sewage infrastructure, utilizing bioengineering techniques along riverbanks, and installing green infrastructure throughout the watershed.


8. WHEREAS Phase One of the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) has dramatically improved the health of the Chicago River, and completing the Phase Two reservoirs is a critical component in an overall strategy to restore the aquatic health of the river, we support developing additional (non-federal) financing mechanisms to ensure TARP is completed as soon as possible.

9. WHEREAS combined sewer overflows (CSOs) are the remnants of an outdated infrastructure system and a major impairment to the aquatic health of the Chicago River, we support developing a timeline for the total elimination of CSOs on the Chicago River through effective stormwater management and completing TARP.

10. WHEREAS the Illinois EPA is currently conducting a Use Attainability Analysis (UAA) on the Chicago River Waterway System to assess if the Chicago River has appropriate water quality standards to protect people and wildlife, we support an upgrade in water quality standards and the implementation of methods to meet them.

11. WHEREAS public use of the Chicago River for paddling, fishing, and other recreational activities is growing, and effluent from water reclamation facilities on the Chicago River contains levels of bacteria and other pathogens that are incompatible with this increasing use, we support cost effective disinfection of all effluent from water reclamation facilities on the Chicago River to protect public health.

12. WHEREAS community support through individual efforts contribute to the health and future of the Chicago River, we encourage citizens to participate in river improvement activities at a local level, including involvement in Friends of the Chicago River’s annual stewardship event, Chicago River Day.


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Please return to tgmain@gmail.com

Public Comments on Chicago NPDES permits due

In accordance with the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit IL0045012 from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to develop and implement an “O & M Plan” for the management of the City of Chicago, sewer system.

The DWM has received tentative IEPA approval of the O&M Plan.

The record is now open to receive written comments on the O & M Plan. Written comments must be postmarked by midnight November 25, 2006. The DWM will respond to all written comments by December 25, 2006.

Comments need not be notarized and should be mailed to:

O&M Public Notification
Plan Comments
c/o Department of Water Management
1000 E. Ohio St. Room 313, EL 51
Chicago, IL 60611

To review the plans:

O&M Plan Appendices

O&M Plan Pollution Control Measures

Once again, Chicago’s ever-evolving relationship with its river is changing fundamentally. For much of the last 150 years, the river has been treated as an open sewer, hostile to its citizens’ health and the natural environment. It now supports a diverse and growing variety of aquatic life. In the past, Chicago fenced off the river and discouraged public access. Today, the city is developing a downtown riverwalk and planning a series of parks and a greenbelt trail system along the entire length of the river’s edge. Whereas in previous years the river was an economic liability to nearby property owners, it is now a highly valued amenity driving citywide residential and commercial redevelopment

Today we have the opportunity to recommit to both the river and a brighter economic future by investing in policies that improve the river. In the early years of this new century, global competition to attract industries and information economy workers is heating up. Just as our previous investments in the river directly contributed to our current economic success, so does new public investment in restoring the river’s health strengthen our competitive global advantage in attracting the industries and knowledge workers who value a clean natural environment and a high quality of life.

This blog is where our online campaign to clean up the Chicago River will operate, we want you to join in the discussion and the growing community.