Get Involved
 
 

If you are interested in participating in the CAWS Chlorides Initiative, or would like to join one of the workgroups described below, please contact Stephanie Jones

Legal

  • Determine Variance Conditions
  • Prepare and File Petition
  • Prepare and submit annual report to IPCB
  • Contact Margaret Conway

Data acquisition

  • Coordinates data acquisition
  • Acquires winter water quality data
  • MWRD, IEPA, USGS, discharger data
  • Each entity must ensure they have sufficient data
  • Coordinates description of facility operations for each entity seeking a variance
  • Description of nature and amount of chlorides used
  • Description of chloride controls and BMPs in use (survey)
  • Contact Ann Ko

Best Management Practices

  • Discussion of alternatives and BMPs based on a literature search
  • Discussion of alternatives and BMPs necessary to achieve compliance with the water quality standard
  • Discussion of availability and selection of BMPs
  • Discussion of explaining why immediate compliance would cause an unreasonable hardship
  • Documentation must be provided to the IPCB
  • Annual report on implementation of cost-effective and reasonable BMPs must be provided to the IPCB
  • Implement BMP Training Workshops
  • Contact chlorides@mwrd.org

Water Quality

  • Analysis of water quality data
  • Demonstrate that compliance cannot be immediately reached in the receiving stream and discharges
  • Discussion of the compliance plan: BMPs to be undertaken; a schedule; and estimated costs
  • Discussion of the environmental impact of the compliance plan, and measures to minimize the impact
  • Discussion of interim numerical discharge limitations
  • Develop a monitoring plan for each watershed
  • Annual report documenting progress in each watershed
  • Contact Jennifer Wasik

Social and Economic Impact

  • Social impact analysis
  • Economic impact analysis
  • Documentation
  • Contact Lakhwinder Hundal

Complete our Deicing Survey

For any other inquiries, please contact the Work Group Coordinator:

Brian Perkovich
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
chlorides@mwrd.org