Greens for MWRD

Notes on Illinois Pollution Control
Board hearing, 6-16-08

Jack Ailey

Background: The Illinois EPA has
proposed a rule which would force the MWRD to institute treatment for
bacteria at all its treatment plants. Currently three of the MWRD
plants do not treat for bacteria before releasing water back into the
river. Before this rule can take effect the IPCB must approve this
rule. The ICPB is holding hearings at various locations and times to
get public comments about this proposed rule. Monday evening’s
hearing was at the headquarters for the MWRD at 100 E. Erie.

All the major environmental
organizations in the Chicago area are pushing that this rule needs to
go into effect. The MWRD has proposed that the IPCB delay its
decision. The MWRD is currently funding a public health study to show
whether or not people are currently getting sick from contact with
water in the Chicago River, the Cal-Sag channel, or the Calumet
River.

By the time the hearing started at 5:30
PM, the MWRD board room was standing room only, probably at least 100
people. The Friends of the Chicago River appeared to have been a
major force in bringing people to the hearing. 70 people had signed
up to testify. Not all of them showed up, but my notes show 43 people
speaking.

All but one person spoke in favor of
the rule to force the MWRD to treat for bacteria. Many people pointed
out that because the river is so much cleaner than it used to be many
people are using it. Thousands of people, probably tens of thousands,
canoe and kayak on the river. Hundreds of people practice rowing on
the river. Many people fish in the river. Children has been seen
swimming in the river. This is despite the presence of signs warning
people not to come in contact with the water.

Many people testified that in spite of
attempting not to fall into the water, every now and then, problems
come up and kayakers and canoers end up in the water. Any time
someone canoes, kayaks or rows on the river, he or she will
automatically come in contact with the water to a certain extent.
Some people talked about times when they fell into the water. Some of
them did not notice any health effects, but others did get intestinal
problems, skin rashes, or eye infections.

The basic conclusion is clear –
all the effluent discharged by the MWRD needs to be treated for
bacteria. The only arguments against doing this are that it costs
money and that there has not been a rigorous scientific study proving
that people are currently getting sick from contact with the river
water. But, there is no question that having that level of bacteria
in the water can make people sick. It is also clear that more and
more people are using the river in ways that bring them into contact
with the water. Why would people in the Chicago area want to allow a
clear health hazard to flow through their communities?

A related point that many of the people
testifying also made is that the river is an asset for Chicago,
economically and for quality of life. We have a very fine lake front
and the river is already another asset for Chicago. If it is made
much safer, the river can be a much bigger asset. Already hundreds of
people make their living from activities related to the river. Having
a view of the river is now an asset for homes and apartment
buildings.

Thus it is clear that the MWRD does
need to treat for bacteria. It is an issue of public health, it is an
issue of economic development, and it is an issue of the quality of
life in Chicago.

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