The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) is offering two programs that West Lakeview residents can utilize that we wanted to pass along.
MWRD recently began distributing free oak tree saplings to Cook County residents as part of its Restore the Canopy, Plant a Tree program. Planting and care instructions, along with additional information regarding the benefits of trees, will be provided.
According to MWRD President Mariyana Spyropoulos, “trees can keep neighborhoods cooler and lower energy bills, provide oxygen and shade, buffer noise, provide protection from wind, and most importantly in our case, absorb water.”
MWRD will distribute the trees from 9 a.m. to noon every Wednesday at several water reclamation plants, including:
- Calumet (400 E. 130th St., Chicago)
- Egan (550 S. Meacham Rd., Schaumburg)
- Hanover Park (1220 Sycamore Ave., Hanover Park)
- Kirie (701 Oakton St., Des Plaines)
- O’Brien (3500 Howard St., Skokie)
- Stickney (6001 W. Pershing Rd., Cicero)
For more information, contact MWRD at 312-751-6633 or go to the MWRD website.
Rain Barrels
MWRD also offers rain barrels to residents as a type of green infrastructure that capture rainwater from your roof and save it for when you need it. By keeping this water out of the sewer system, rain barrels can also help prevent sewer overflows and flooding. You can use rain barrel water to wash your car, water your lawn, or clean work boots and tools.
For Cook County residents living in municipalities not enrolled in the free program, residents can still purchase a rain barrel for $47.85 or $51.67 (depending on color), and this includes a flexible connecting elbow to attach your barrel to your downspout, a linking hose to connect it to a second barrel, detailed instructions, and free delivery to your home. Please click on Purchase Rain Barrels to learn more about rain barrel options.
