Safety of water you drink candidates' top priority
Three seats are open on the nine-member board for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Eight candidates are running for the three Democratic nominations. They are: incumbents Frank Avila, Kathleen Meany and Cynthia Santos; and challengers Diane Jones, Dean Maragos, Matthew Podgorski, Mariyana Spyropoulos and Derrick Stinson.
Here is an excerpt of the candidate Q&As, where they were limited in their answers to 150 words or fewer.
Q. Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? What will be your main priority?
Avila: I am concerned about the environment, and the goal of the MWRDGC is to protect the water environment. My top priorities are my commitment to environmental protection as it relates to: water supply; water quality of Lake Michigan and our waterways; and wastewater treatment, which include biosolids issues, the use and disposal of pharmaceutical and personal care products and their implications on human and ecological health, including endocrine disrupting compounds and chemicals, compounds of emerging concerns, contaminated sediments, flooding, pollution; identifying, prioritizing and collaboration of research needs; and invasive species. My concern is to protect the health and safety of the public. Our service area is within the boundaries of Cook County, but our treated effluence after it comes out of the water reclamation plants is discharged into our channels and is discharged into the Des Plaines River, Illinois River, Mississippi River and into the Gulf of Mexico.
Jones: I want to fight against legal dumping, improve the District's relationship with other environment agencies and community groups to better serve, protect and inform the public on how they can be a better environmental participant. (My priorities will be) jobs and contracts, equal opportunity and to protect water.
Maragos: As oil was the material resource of the 20th century, freshwater will be the material resource in the 21st century. I am running for the MWRD because I am dedicated to keeping our water clean, enhancing environmental protection in the Chicago area and protecting our homes from flooding. I want to use my over 25 years of extensive government, professional and educational experience to accomplish these goals. This year we witnessed serious threats to our drinking water, our homes and our environment. BP Amoco and U.S. Steel's proposal to increase pollution discharges into Lake Michigan coupled with the flooding devastation to our homes this summer has made us realize the fragility of our freshwater resources and the destruction that can occur when water is not adequately protected and managed. Incorporating higher environmental standards in the way MWRD treats and disinfects wastewater, manages storm water runoffs and utilizes the vast amount of land under its control is critical.
Meany: I'm running for re-election because I believe I make a valuable contribution to the board and my education and experience make me the most qualified candidate. What motivates me is my commitment to protecting the water environment in the Chicago metropolitan region.
Podgorski: Big issues motivate me: pollution, flooding and efficiency. I am really running because I want to be a true steward of the environment and of the taxpayer dollars. BP Amoco's plans to dump more toxic slug and ammonia into the lake specifically motivated me to run for this particular office at this particular time.
Santos: I am running for re-election as I am still very passionate in the work I accomplish as commissioner of this agency. Issues which will be my main priority are increasing our record in the area of affirmative action. I also fully support any efforts to become "greener" and would like to see them implemented in a cost-effective manner. Finally, I want to see this agency continue its operations under sound fiscal management under my direction.
Spyropoulos: I want to help the district take a greater role in water conservation. The district needs to promote innovative policies for water conservation and demonstrate nest practices at its facilities. The district must hold polluters accountable for their actions and as an attorney I plan to implement policies to that end.
Stinson: My life experiences have made me uniquely qualified to lead, serve and be your voice on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board of Commissioners as decisions are made about the treatment and disposal of waste water. We live in a world today that takes our environment and precious resources for granted. We can not continue to ignore how we are using water or wasting water with out serious future consequences. I will make conservation a local, regional and national priority.
Q. What's the most important issue currently facing the Water Reclamation District?
Avila: Funding. We have completed our master plans for the North Side Water Reclamation Plant, the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant and the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant which have an estimated cost of $2.3 billion. These master plans mark the beginning of a new era for the district, as we embark on a capital improvements program at our treatment plants of unprecedented proportions. Significant financial and personnel resources will be required to carry out the master plans for these plants, which are three of the largest water reclamation plants in North America. It should be noted that the costs above do not include nutrient removal or disinfection. These costs would be substantial, on the order of $1 billion. One of the objectives of the master plan process is to maintain the treatment capacity of the plant through the year 2040 Projected Flows. No federal dollars are available.
Jones: Illegal dumping, because this process is dumping millions of pollutants into the river making it very dangerous for humans to have any interaction with this body of water. Many people of Cook County want to utilize all bodies of water for recreation, etc., but until the problem is rectified it will remain a great danger for the people of Cook County.
Maragos: Addressing environmental, storm water management and financial concerns are the most important issues facing the MWRD. Programs involving the dumping of pharmaceutical and household-hazardous waste materials, disinfection of the Chicago River and tertiary cleansing, storm water management and completion of TARP and the monitoring of regional water to protect the environment are all issues that have been reviewed by the MWRD board and management in the many meetings I have attended this year. These problems are paramount because with a growing population, an increasing thirst for freshwater and heightened public awareness about environmental degradation the district's tasks are becoming more complex and costly to accomplish. For example, tertiary cleansing is a multimillion-dollar project that is being seriously considered to meet EPA standards; however, the electricity required to implement this ultraviolet light process might ultimately have a negative impact on the environment. Careful analysis by experienced commissioners through governmental, financial, environmental and community programs are required.
Meany: The Illinois Pollution Control Board is currently studying the results of the Use Attainability Analysis study of the Chicago waterways. These results will provide objective data for future treatment standards for the district's water reclamation plants. The financial impact of future requirements is unknown at this time, but estimates are $540 million in capital costs and $22 million in annual operating expenses. One problem is obviously the public pressure to disinfect and restore the waterways to a swimmable condition, but the board of commissioners must find the balance between this effort and holding the line on local taxes. Until the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan is finished, every storm event with its attendant combined sewer overflows, would cancel out the benefits of disinfection. There are no simple solutions to complex environmental problems.
Podgorski: The main issue with the MWRD at this time is, how does the District address the ongoing challenges of increasing pollution and climate change? My goal would be to insist the District create a long-term master plan for dealing with climate change (increased flooding), the receding levels of Lake Michigan, pharmaceuticals in the water, and for the protection of natural aquatic habitats and recreation.
Santos: Completion of the TARP project and securing the much needed funding for its completion. Chicagoland residents are using our river systems in increasing number for recreational activities. Since this has the potential of bringing them into direct contact with the water, we must evaluate every avenue to kill harmful pathogens in the water. The district's compliance with the Clean Water Act and proposals by the Illinois EPA must be carefully evaluated and any programs instituted by this agency should be cost-effective to the taxpayers of Cook County as a whole.
Spyropoulos: I would like to examine ways in which the district and its processes and administration can become more transparent. For example, I would like to work to decrease no-bid contracts and require that bidders describe in detail how they will get work done to ensure value for taxpayer money.
Stinson: Daily all kinds of pollutants are accidentally or intentionally affecting our water supply. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District disinfects our plant effluents prior to being released into our rivers in the northern areas. The same disinfectant process should be utilized throughout all other regions of the district to improve water quality for recreational purposes and wildlife habitats.
Q. Are there programs similar to the rain-barrel program that might be popular with residents and encourage careful water management and conservation by individuals?
Avila: The public can help at their residences, commercial buildings and public institutions by implementing best management practices such as rain barrels, cisterns, green roofs, rain gardens, permeable paving and natural landscaping. Residents living near waterways should take extra care to remove debris on their property which could wind up in the waterway. Yard waste should be properly disposed of and not dumped into or along the banks of creeks or streams. Branches, bushes and other debris cause blockages at culverts and bridges which can cause flood damages for you and your neighbor. Another program involves the public calling (800) 332-DUMP if they see anyone dumping garbage, hazardous waste, or any debris into a waterway, sanitary or storm sewer.
Jones: The rain-barrel program is a great idea and popular with residents because it is an easy method. Other methods such as conserving water would be for individuals to be conscious of how much water they waste daily by leaving the shower on, leaving a running faucet on, etc., without use.
Maragos: Because so many homeowners throughout Cook County invest in gardening, there should be a program or symposium to educate them on the benefits of having rain gardens, which help to absorb water runoff, thus reducing pressure on the conventional storm water system, and also provides valuable nesting grounds for pollinators and other plant and animal species. Many residents are also small-business owners, so with respect to existing programs that might be popular, events such as Green Drinks (a monthly gathering in Chicago hosted by Foresight Design Initiative Inc.) provide visitors with information about green infrastructure, low-impact development strategies that facilitate responsible water use and other small steps residents and businesses can take to conserve water, such as disconnecting downspouts.
Meany: The rain barrel distribution program is a new initiative for the district. We encourage everyone to participate. At its first board meeting in November, the board adopted a "green purchasing policy" to make sure purchases, from cleaning solvents to carpeting and furniture, are made from recycled or sustainable materials. The board has also replaced traditional landscaping with native prairie landscaping at all its facilities. We welcome speakers and suggestions from environmental groups at all our Board Meetings and study sessions.
Podgorski: Tax breaks for permeable pavements, green roofs, tank-less water heaters, are among the programs that we can implement today to conserve water at the individual level.
Santos: Some water management and conservation practices individual residents can implement are the disconnection of down spouts from the drain/sewer, allowing storm water to be absorbed into the ground instead of being flushed directly into the sewer. I encourage the use of permeable surfaces for residents considering new patios or driveways. The use of natural plants is another consideration for those residents considering landscape design. These are all ideas which manage storm water and encourage residents to take a "greener" outlook.
Spyropoulos: Yes, as mentioned above, tax breaks could be one way to get homeowners and builders involved in storm water management. Another program would be the use of green roofs to save rainwater. Also the use of gray water should be encouraged by education programs. MWD could take the initiative and educate the public on the many options they have available.
Stinson: Yes, there are numerous local programs and national projects that encourage water conservation like the rain barrel program. Rain barrels should be used in conjunction with other water management practices, such as rain gardens, green roofs, storm water trees and porous pavement. I am a strong advocate for building community awareness and desire to establish a community advisory committee to explore and implement conservation projects. It will be a first for the MWRD for better water quality initiatives.