Sustainability Committee Webinar: MWRD Space to Grow Program - Greening Chicago Schoolyards
Thursday, March 12, 2026 Noon to 12:30 p.m.
Zoom Webinar
Since 2014, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) has partnered with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the Chicago Department of Water Management (CDWM), Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC) and Openlands to transform CPS schoolyards into dynamic places to learn and play, while also educating them on the importance of green infrastructure to manage stormwater. This program, known as Space to Grow, gives students and their neighbors living in low-income communities improved outdoor spaces to play. These permeable surface areas are equipped with new playgrounds, turf fields, rain gardens and other features designed to collect more rainfall and keep it out of the sewers. The permeable surfaces will reduce flooding, reduce the load on the combined sewer system, and encourage the use of green infrastructure techniques that soak up more stormwater by using natural solutions.
Speaker: Ky Ochsner, MWRD, Assistant Civil Engineer
Hosted by IWEA's Sustainability Committee
Members $10 | Nonmembers $20
.5 PDH/TCH
Zoom webinar link will be forwarded by separate email the morning of March 12. more info...
March 22 - 24, 2026 Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, NC
The WEF/AWWA Young Professionals (YP) Summit is the premier water and wastewater industry workshop for young professionals. This standout event gives YPs the opportunity to develop your leaderships skills and industry knowledge. With over 400 water sector participants, you will be able to both learn from each other and create a diverse network to support your evolving career path.
March 23, 2026
9 a.m. - 6 p.m. The Westin Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)
Across the nation, aging water infrastructure and rising costs are creating an urgent need for additional capital and innovative financing solutions. In addition, as the water sector moves toward a circular water economy, unlocking up to $47 billion annually in direct economic value for U.S. utilities and municipalities, the sector must come together to chart a path forward.
To meet this challenge, the Water Environment Federation is convening leading experts from across the country for a high-impact summit focused on financing the future of water infrastructure. Together, we’ll explore strategies to leverage federal resources, mobilize private investment, and build sustainable funding models that drive long-term resilience and growth.
The Illinois Wastewater Professionals Conference is the largest annual wastewater and water reuse conference in Illinois. The program focuses on all aspects of water, except drinking. more info...
Water Week 2026 and the National Water Policy Fly-in April 14 - 15, 2026 Washington, DC
Mark your calendars for Water Week 2026 and the National Water Policy Fly-in in Washington. All registrants will receive an invitation to the Fly-In Prep Webcast on April 1, 2026.
Each year Water Week invites water professionals from across the nation to help advance key water policy priorities such as sustained growth in federal infrastructure investment, addressing water affordability, supporting water research & development and advancing sound science-based solutions, and making our critical infrastructure more resilient.
This premier event brings together water professionals, utility leaders, and advocates from across the nation for a week of impactful engagement and collaboration.