Protecting the Health of People and the Environment


The mission of the Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District is to protect public health and the environment by providing collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater for our customers in an efficient and economical manner. In doing so, the District strives to adhere to the environmental regulations as established by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Important News and Notices

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    Advertisement for Bids - KWRD is seeking bids for its upcoming Basin 16 Rehab Project. Click for more details. 

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    Rain Barrel Sale - KWRD is partnering with the DeKalb County Soil & Water Conservation District for the annual SWCD Rain Barrel Sale. SWCD is taking orders until April 30th. Click for more details.

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    The KWRD Administrative Office will be closed on Monday, February 17th for President's Day. If you have an emergency, please call 815.762.1933

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    Employment Opportunity - The Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District is currently looking for a Collections Operator. If you are interested, please visit the Open Employment Opportunities section in Public Notices/Documents at the top of the page.

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    Tentative Budget - KWRD has developed its final draft of its FY25/26 Tentative Budget. Click this image to view the public document.

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    Free EV Charging - Learn more about how the District is committed to environmental stewardship and providing the community with a valuable public service.

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    Phase 1B Project Completion - Learn more about the recently completed Phase 1B Improvements construction project. 

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Who We Serve

The Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District serves residential, business, and industrial users in and around the City of DeKalb, including more than 21,000 users at Northern Illinois University.


On an average day, anywhere from 4 to 9 million gallons of wastewater is treated at the District's treatment plant. The amount of wastewater flowing into the plant varies based on the school year. When NIU classes are in session, volume jumps; between semesters, it falls. These dramatic swings are hard on the populations of living organisms we use to break down organic waste. It takes skilled plant operators to keep the system in balance.

Monitoring for COVID-19

In January 2021, the District partnered with NIU to test for the COVID virus in local wastewater. The District has a longstanding practice of taking wastewater samples at various points in the collection system. These measurements help us identify places where rainwater may be leaking into the system and can now be used to help identify COVID outbreaks before people may be symptomatic.

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BOARD MEETINGS

The Board of Trustees generally meets at noon on the third Wednesday of each month, at the District's office, 1301 Sycamore Rd, DeKalb.


The Board meeting schedule for FY2024-25 is as follows (the next scheduled meeting is shown in bold):

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 12:00pm

Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 12:00pm

Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 12:00pm

Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 12:00pm

Monday, September 16, 2024 at 5:00pm

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 12:00pm

Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 12:00pm

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 12:00pm

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 12:00pm

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 12:00pm

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 12:00pm

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 12:00pm

Join Us, We Want Your Input!

Each meeting includes time for public input. You are welcome to speak at a meeting or to write to the Board in care of the Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District at 1301 Sycamore Rd, DeKalb, IL 60115.

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