Chicago MWRD advances $82m Calumet dewatering rebuild driven by transit extension

Chicago MWRD advances $82m Calumet dewatering rebuild driven by transit extensionThe Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago has approved the advertisement of a major dewatering facility rebuild to maintain operations during the Chicago Transit Authority's Red Line expansion, utilizing federal procurement rules to secure $45 million in interagency funding.

The estimated $67.9 million to $82.2 million project will rebuild the centrifuge facility and install a pipeline beneath new transit lines to transmit biosolids.

MWRD will receive approximately $45 million from the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) for operational disruptions, backed by US Department of Transportation grants.

To qualify for the federal funds, the district must temporarily bypass its local affirmative action rules and utilize the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program administered by the CTA.

The board approved the contract advertisement with eight votes in favor and one abstention following debate over the shift in diversity procurement policies.

On March 5, 2026, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Board of Commissioners authorized the advertisement of a major rebuild of the dewatering facility at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant. The project, identified as Contract 25-RFP-21, is estimated to cost between $67.9 million and $82.2 million. The infrastructure upgrade is driven by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line extension. To maintain operations, MWRD must secure permits to tunnel a pipeline beneath existing railroads and the new transit line to transmit biosolids from the main plant to the centrifuge facility. According to the Executive Director, the rehabilitated building is expected to last 75 to 100 years, while the new centrifuges could operate for 40 years. The project also completes the necessary groundwork should the district decide to install a pelletizer in the future. Maintaining continuous sludge management during construction is a priority. While MWRD intends to pump directly to the newly rehabbed building, the Executive Director noted that if access is restricted, the district will rely on its east drying beds or use tanker trucks. Open-body trailers will be strictly avoided to prevent sludge spills and traffic accidents on 130th Street. The financial structure of the project relies heavily on interagency coordination. MWRD expects to receive approximately $45 million from the CTA to compensate for operational disruptions. Because this compensation is partially backed by US Department of Transportation (US DOT) grants, MWRD must utilize the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program rather than its own local affirmative action framework. A forthcoming memorandum of understanding with the CTA will outline tracking and administration, with the CTA handling the DBE recertification process. This regulatory pivot sparked debate among commissioners over the suspension of the district's defensible local diversity rules. However, the operational urgency and federal funding requirements ultimately outweighed those concerns. Commissioner Sharon Waller noted the district does not "have the luxury of delaying this project" to maintain operations. Chairman Marcelino Garcia supported the pivot, stating, "We can't be foolish to lose... about $45 million in this particular instance really is significant to the other work that we need to do." The board approved the contract advertisement with eight votes in favor and one abstention from Commissioner Eira L. Corral Sepulveda.