Monument of the Millennium
Wastewater System
[Text on the right]
The ASCE presented only ten such awards worldwide, each representing the most outstanding example of Civil engineering in a particular area of infrastructure over the past century.
Created in 1889, the District built canals that reversed the flow of the Chicago River away from Lake Michigan, protecting the public drinking water supply and eliminating waterborne diseases prevalent at the time. The District later built wastewater treatment plants to collect and treat all the wastewater in the area.
The District has continued with new technology and foresight in construction of the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP), for the capture of combined sewer overflows that would otherwise discharge to the inland waterways and the Sidestream Elevated Pool Aeration (SEPA) stations to add more oxygen to the waterways. With these and other innovations, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago proudly continues its commitment to protect Lake Michigan and the inland waterways.
[Plaque on the left]
Civil Engineering Monument of the Millennium
American Society of Civil Engineers - 1852
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s
Wastewater System
One of the finest examples of how civil engineering ingenuity shaped the development of society’s quality of life
this page online
[List of Commissioners on front of the monument]
Commissioners
Terrence J. O’Brien, President
Kathleen Therese Meany, Vice President
Gloria Alitto Majewski, Chairman of Finance
John C. Fernan, General Superintendent
Frank Avila
James C, Harris
Barbara J. McGowan
Cynthia M. Santos
Patricia Young
Harry “Bus” Yourell
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 19, 1925.
Location. 41° 53.274′ N, 87° 36.767′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. This marker is located on the Chicago Riverwalk Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Honorable Joanne H. Alter (approx. ¼ mile away); Illinois & Michigan Canal (approx. ¼ mile away); Columbia Yacht Club (approx. ¼ mile away); Q.S.M.V. Abegweit (approx. ¼ mile away); Milton L. Olive III Park (approx. half a mile away); Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Discoverers
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2011. This page has been viewed 1,470 times since then and 91 times this year. Last updated on August 28, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 27, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
