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Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis — Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

Resurface · Take Action

Become a water warrior.

In most of the Chicago area, rainwater shares pipes with the water from your drains. When storms hit, every bit of conservation keeps sewers from backing up into streets, basements, and the river.

Get Overflow Action Alerts

We’ll tell you when a storm is coming so you can ease up on water use — before, during, and after the rain.

  • Delay or shorten showers
  • Hold off on running the dishwasher
  • Wait on laundry until skies clear
  • Swap leaky fixtures for EPA WaterSense products
Sign up for alerts

Join the Volunteer Pool

Lend a hand at cleanups, education days, and community events with the office of Commissioner Brady-Davis. Every neighborhood, every skill level — the watershed needs you.

Raise your hand

Stormwater · Rain Barrels

Catch the rain. Protect your basement.

Rain barrels capture rainwater from your roof for later use, helping prevent basement backups, street flooding, and sewer overflows by keeping rainwater out of the sewer system. Use the water to care for your lawn or garden, or to clean work boots, tools, and bikes.

  • Holds up to 55 gallons, with an overflow opening to direct excess water away from your foundation or link multiple barrels together
  • Durable high-density polyethylene, available in black, blue, terra cotta, and gray
  • Includes instructions, a leaf and mosquito filter screen, a flexible downspout connector, a spigot/tap, and an overflow hose
  • Free delivery to Cook County residents

Discounted pricing in effect

$22.30

per barrel · includes tax & delivery · up to two per household

$11.15 each for residents age 65 and older

Available to residents of Cook County through the MWRD.

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Become A Water Warrior: Get Overflow Action Alerts, Join Our Volunteer Pool, Partner With Us

Want to collaborate? Let’s chat.

From block clubs to big ideas — the office of Commissioner Brady-Davis is listening.