A section of the MWRD's Deep Tunnel. (Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago / Facebook)

The reversal of the Chicago River is still talked about today as one of the all-time great feats of engineering.

More than 100 years later, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) will revisit that historic achievement in the context of how the city’s wastewater treatment has advanced since then, as part of a virtual tour scheduled for Nov. 18.

Established in 1889, the MWRD is responsible for wastewater treatment and stormwater management in Cook County, treating an average of 1.4 billion gallons of wastewater each day. The tour will explore the agency’s reservoirs, water reclamation plants and miles of flood control tunnels, taking guests on a 300-foot descent into the Deep Tunnel.

Get a glimpse of green technology solutions adopted by the MWRD, including the processing of sewage to create biosolid fertilizer.    

The tour is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. Click here to register.

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]