Chicago Department of Water Management

06/17/2026

Severe weather is upon us again.
A few small actions can help prevent flooding during such heavy rainfall.

Overflow Action Alert

Heavy rain is expected in the Chicago area today. Reduce your use of water during and after the storm to help prevent flooding and protect water quality:

• Delay showers and baths
• Flush less frequently
• Wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine

Flooding and sewer backups can happen for a variety of reasons. To help prevent flooding inside or around your home, there are actions you and your family can take before and during rainfall.

Learn how to prepare for stormwater at this link: https://mwrd.org/community-action/you-can-help-prevent-flooding-and-protect-water-quality.

Learn more about Combined Sewer Overflow prevention here: https://mwrd.org/community-action/overflow-action

Sign up to receive Overflow Action Alerts via text
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/YhH2xGP/MWRDSignup

Learn what you should do during flooding:
https://mwrd.org/community-action/what-you-should-do-during-flooding

For more information and explanations about how the MWRD’s infrastructure and waterway system operate, visit these links:

Learn about the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP)
https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/tunnel-and-reservoir-plan-tarp

Understand how the Chicago Area Waterway System works
https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/reducing-flooding/chicago-area-waterway-system-caws

Learn about the types of sewer systems in Cook County
https://mwrd.org/community-action/understanding-your-sewer

Request a presentation for your community
https://mwrd.org/education/speakers-and-outreach

Tour our facilities
https://mwrd.org/education/tours

Municipal partners can explore stormwater partnership opportunities
https://mwrd.org/stormwater/partnerships

The top of the MWRD’s website displays a notification if an Overflow Action Alert is active. Visit mwrd.org.

Overflow Action Alerts are a joint initiative of the MWRD and Friends of the Chicago River

06/12/2026

YOU SHOULD KNOW: All DWM employees and contractors carry ID and wear vests marked DWM or with the name of the contractor.

If you are unsure, ask for an ID. No one from DWM will try to sell you anything or ask for any access to your house while unattended.

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

Overflow Action Alert

Heavy rain is expected in the Chicago area today. Reduce your use of water during and after the storm to help prevent flooding and protect water quality:

• Delay showers and baths
• Flush less frequently
• Wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine

Flooding and sewer backups can happen for a variety of reasons. To help prevent flooding inside or around your home, there are actions you and your family can take before and during rainfall.

Learn how to prepare for stormwater at this link: https://mwrd.org/community-action/you-can-help-prevent-flooding-and-protect-water-quality.

Learn more about Combined Sewer Overflow prevention here: https://mwrd.org/community-action/overflow-action

Sign up to receive Overflow Action Alerts via text
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/YhH2xGP/MWRDSignup

Learn what you should do during flooding:
https://mwrd.org/community-action/what-you-should-do-during-flooding

For more information and explanations about how the MWRD’s infrastructure and waterway system operate, visit these links:

Learn about the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP)
https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/tunnel-and-reservoir-plan-tarp

Understand how the Chicago Area Waterway System works
https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/reducing-flooding/chicago-area-waterway-system-caws

Learn about the types of sewer systems in Cook County
https://mwrd.org/community-action/understanding-your-sewer

Request a presentation for your community
https://mwrd.org/education/speakers-and-outreach

Tour our facilities
https://mwrd.org/education/tours

Municipal partners can explore stormwater partnership opportunities
https://mwrd.org/stormwater/partnerships

The top of the MWRD’s website displays a notification if an Overflow Action Alert is active. Visit mwrd.org.

Overflow Action Alerts are a joint initiative of the MWRD and Friends of the Chicago River

06/05/2026

DWM wears orange to remind people that today is Gun Violence Awareness Day!

Chicago Mayor's Office

05/29/2026

YOU SHOULD KNOW: All DWM employees and contractors carry ID and wear vests marked DWM or with the name of the contractor.

If you are unsure, ask for an ID. No one from DWM will try to sell you anything or ask for any access to your house while unattended.

Chicago Mayor's Office Chicago Department of Family and Support Services Chicago Police Department 16th District Chicago Police Department

05/27/2026

A big thank you to Durkin Park Elementary School who hosted two focus groups for DWM’s Sewer section today. Special shoutout not only to Principal Beavers and Asst Principal Hernandez but to the 4th & 5th grade social studies classes who gave us valuable feedback on our upcoming ‘Where Does the Water Go?’ activity book. DWM very much appreciates you!

05/19/2026

DWM staff is ready NOW to get you signed up for our Equity lead service line replacement program!
We're at the Office of 18th Ward Alderman Derrick G. Curtis (8359 S Pulaski Rd.) where you can submit your required documents for the City’s FREE Lead Service Line Replacement Program.
Staff will be on hand to help you complete your application and answer questions.
We're here until 3 p.m. today!

04/29/2026

DWM carpenter JeVon Hill showing “future” DWM employees a few of the projects he’s worked on at Chicago Public Schools Career Fair.

04/28/2026

Check out our new video that explains what we do at the Chicago Department of Water Management!

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater ChicagoACEC-IllinoisUnderground Contractors Association of IllinoisWorld Business ChicagoChicagoland Chamber of Commerce Friends of the Chicago RiverNavy Pier American Water Works Association Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies American Public Works Association Illinois Department of Natural ResourcesChicago Department of Transportation

Chicago Drinking Water: From Lake Michigan to Your Tap