Facility Tours

Facility Tours are an opportunity to observe active projects, construction, and/or operations at sites within the local host community, as well as an opportunity to earn Contact Hours. Participation is limited by the size of each facility. Tickets are required for participation and should be purchased as part of the conference registration process.

Transportation between McCormick Place (convention center) and the tour site is included with purchase. Tour buses will load 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time at McCormick Place, South Building, Gate 3 and will depart promptly at the scheduled start time. Food and beverage are not provided.

Registrants are advised to wear proper attire, including long pants and closed-toe shoes with rubber soles. Skirts, shorts, tank tops, and high-heels are not appropriate. The facilities will provide hard hats, safety glasses, and safety vests, if necessary.

Several host facilities in Chicago have established security screening practices that necessitate early registration deadlines and receipt of sensitive information by firm deadlines. Take note of the requirements indicated for each tour. Registrants that fail to meet the requirements by the given deadlines will not be granted access to the tour bus or facility, and will not receive a refund for their ticket purchase.

Descriptions are available here or you can downloand the new and improved WEFTEC Mobile App by scanning the bar code below.

 

T1 STORMWATER TOUR: Cermak Road-Blue Island Avenue Sustainable Streetscape Project
Sunday, October 6 | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Ticket Cost: $50
Focus Areas: green infrastructure, stormwater
A second tour is offered on Wednesday afternoon. This tour is affiliated with Technical Session #517.

T2 John G. Shedd Aquarium Behind-the-Scenes
Monday, October 7 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ticket Cost: $50
Focus Areas: disinfection, operations and maintenance, process design, water recycling
A second tour is offered on Tuesday morning.

T3 COLLECTION SYSTEMS TOUR: MWRDGC’s TARP – Thornton Reservoir Project
Monday, October 7 | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Ticket Cost: $50
Focus Areas: collection systems, CSOs/SSOs, stormwater
Advance Registration Required: August 30. Tickets are not available for purchase after August 30. No substitutions after August 30.
Security Screening Requirements: registrants are required to complete a release waiver and to provide a photocopy of their photo ID (U.S. driver's license or a passport) to WEF by August 30 for security screening purposes. WEF will provide instructions to registrants in early August.

T4 MWRDGC’s Stickney Water Reclamation Plant
Tuesday, October 8 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ticket Cost: $50
Focus Areas: operations and maintenance, process design
Advance Registration Required: August 30. Tickets are not available for purchase after August 30. No substitutions after August 30.
Security Screening Requirements: registrants are required to complete a release waiver and to provide a photocopy of their photo ID (U.S. driver's license or a passport) to WEF by August 30 for security screening purposes. WEF will provide instructions to registrants in early August.

T5 John G. Shedd Aquarium Behind-the-Scenes
Tuesday, October 8 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ticket Cost: $50
Focus Areas: disinfection, operations and maintenance, process design, water recycling

T6 Brookfield Zoo’s Seven Seas Water Treatment Facility
Tuesday, October 8 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ticket Cost: $50
Focus Areas: disinfection, operations and maintenance, process design, water recycling
A second tour is offered on Wednesday morning.

T7 Thorn Creek Basin Sanitary District
Wednesday, October 9 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ticket Cost: $50
Focus Areas: operations and maintenance, process design

T8 The City of Chicago’s Jardine Water Purification Plant
Wednesday, October 9 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ticket Cost: $50
Focus Areas: operations and maintenance, potable water, process design
Advance Registration Required: August 30. Tickets are not available for purchase after August 30. No substitutions after August 30.
Security Screening Requirements: registrants are required to show their photo ID (U.S. driver's license or a passport) to guards at the site for security screening purposes. Photography is prohibited.

T9 Brookfield Zoo’s Seven Seas Water Treatment Facility
Wednesday, October 9 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ticket Cost: $50
Focus Areas: disinfection, operations and maintenance, process design, water recycling

T10 STORMWATER TOUR: Cermak Road-Blue Island Avenue Sustainable Streetscape Project
Wednesday, October 9 | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Ticket Cost: $50
Focus Areas: green infrastructure, stormwater
This tour is affiliated with Technical Session #517.