Quinn opens water-quality conference

Thousands of drinking-water professionals from around the world are opening the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference in Chicago.

Gov. Pat Quinn said Monday he wants to protect the environment by modernizing Illinois' water infrastructure. He declared October as “Water's Worth It” Month.

The conference has grown into the world's largest of its kind since first meeting in Chicago in 1928. It offers professionals water-quality education and training and show-floor access to what organizers say are “cutting-edge technologies.”

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel used the conference to announce a $50 million project to reduce basement flooding. The $10-million-a-year plan could include permeable pavement and landscaping that features storm water-filtering bioswales to reduce runoff and Lake Michigan pollution.