TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 2, 2026
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to issue a five-year permit to the City of Chicago Department of Public Health to continue to access the District’s Intercepting Sewer Systems in Chicago, Illinois to install, maintain, monitor and remove sampling devices to collect wastewater samples as part of its wastewater surveillance project for pathogens of public health concern. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00
Body
Dear Sir:
On August 11, 2022, the District granted the City of Chicago Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) a four-year permit to monitor and maintain wastewater sampling devices in the District’s North Side Intercepting Sewer System, the Southwest Side Intercepting Sewer System, and the Calumet Intercepting Sewer System, all in Chicago, Illinois. CDPH collects wastewater samples at these locations to monitor the transmission of respiratory viruses and emerging public health threats. CDPH partners with the University of Illinois on this wastewater monitoring project and shares its sampling data with the District. The current permit expires November 15, 2026.
CDPH has requested a new five-year permit to continue these activities at the same locations or at other locations that may be approved later by the Directors of the Maintenance & Operations and Engineering Departments. CDPH bears all costs of the collection activities and maintenance of the collection devices.
The District’s technical departments have no objections to issuing the permit, provided that 24-hour unrestricted access to District structures and sewers is maintained.
A nominal fee of $10.00 is recommended as is customary for governmental entities using District property for a public purpose.
It is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and approve the issuance of a five-year permit to the City of Chicago Department of Public Health to continue to access the District’s Intercepting Sewer Systems in Chicago, Illinois to install, maintain, monitor and remove sampling devices to collect wastewater samples as part of its wastewater surveillance project for pathogens of public health concern. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00.
It is also requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said permit agreement after it is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:BJD:JAW:vp
Recommended, John P. Murray, Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for April 2, 2026
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