Chicago-area residents asked to delay showers, use less water

Key Points:

• The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) has declared an "Overflow Action Day" for Monday in the Chicago area due to expected heavy rain and thunderstorms, urging residents to reduce water usage to help prevent sewer system overloads.
• Local reservoirs, including the McCook TARP Reservoir at 95% capacity and the Thornton Reservoir at 58%, are rapidly filling from recent rains, putting strain on the TARP ("Deep Tunnel") system designed to manage stormwater and sewage.
• Residents are advised to conserve water by delaying showers, running dishwashers less frequently, reducing toilet flushes, and postponing laundry to minimize additional water entering the sewer system.
• If the TARP system becomes overwhelmed, untreated sewage could overflow into rivers, basements, and neighborhoods, and officials may be forced to release untreated water into Lake Michigan, causing beach closures and health risks.
• Despite recent expansions, the TARP system has been heavily taxed this year, with the McCook Reservoir reaching capacity six times and the Thornton Reservoir setting a storage record; ongoing severe weather raises concerns about continued flooding and system challenges.