The Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO) applies to all development within the boundaries of Cook County, Illinois, and qualified sewer construction within the District’s corporate boundaries or service agreement areas. Components which are regulated under the WMO include qualified sewer construction, drainage and detention, volume control, floodplain management, isolated wetland protection, riparian environment protection, and soil erosion and sediment control. The WMO went into effect on May 1, 2014 and the District’s Board of Commissioners most recently amended the WMO on May 16, 2019. The WMO is accessible through the link below.
WMO
(As amended on May 16, 2019 meeting) (6.8 MB)
Redline
(As amended on May 16, 2019 meeting) (7.3 MB)
The District developed a Technical Guidance Manual (TGM), which will serve as a technical reference to the WMO. The TGM documents are accessible through the links below.
Technical Guidance Manual (TGM)
Appendix C. Standard Details & Notes (Updated February 2019)
Permit Resources:
WMO Permit Application Forms and Fees
Information Pamphlets for Developers and Homeowners
Authorized Municipalities
and Multi-County Municipalities
Other Resources:
Watershed Management Ordinance: Short Summary
Permit Inquiries (Request Copies of Past Issued Permits)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Assistance Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Municipal staff, municipal engineers, and consulting engineers are invited to attend a training session on the amendment changes. To RSVP for a training session, please contact Ms. Ouidie Pollard at (312) 751-3255 or WMOupdates@mwrd.org.
| Date | Time | Location |
| Wednesday, October 2, 2019 | 10:00 a.m. | District’s Board Room 100 East Erie Street, Chicago, Illinois |
| Tuesday, October 8, 2019 | 10:00 a.m. | Prairie Center for the Arts 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, Illinois |
| Thursday, October 10, 2019 | 10:00 a.m. | Northlake City Hall Council Chamber Room 55 E. North Avenue, Northlake, Illinois |
| Tuesday, October 15, 2019 | 10:00 a.m. |
South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association 1906 W. 174th Street, East Hazel Crest, Illinois |
As a reminder, starting on January 1, 2020, all permit application submittals must comply with the new Watershed Specific Release Rates, Updated Bulletin 70, and redevelopment changes.
Request to be added to our contact list to keep current with the latest WMO updates via email WMOupdates@mwrd.org.
If you have any questions about the WMO, contact Ms. Justine Skawski at (312) 751-3261 or SkawskiJ@mwrd.org or Mr. Dan Feltes at (312) 751-3247 or FeltesD@mwrd.org.
If you have any questions regarding an inspection, contact the Field Office at (708) 588-4055.
If an applicant has reviewed all available WMO resources and still has questions on whether or not a Watershed Management Permit is required for a particular project, the applicant may petition the District (in writing) for a determination.
A letter describing the project, with any supporting exhibits and documentation, should be sent to:
Justine Skawski
Engineering Department - Local Sewer Systems Section
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
111 East Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60611-2893