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💦 Water Innovation in Chicago
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60th Edition
📍 This Week’s Lineup:
💦 Water Innovation in Chicago
📊 Chart of the Week
📆 Events Around the City
🔙 Previous Editions of the Driver’s Seat
💦 Water Innovation in Chicago
Chicago's long-standing legacy of water innovation, combined with our direct access to Lake Michigan, has positioned us as a leader in sustainable water management.
Let’s take a look at how we got here:
Chicago’s Water History
Arguably the most significant “water move” in the city was the reversal of the Chicago River in the early 1900s to protect its drinking water supply.
In 1917, the Chicago Office of Water Resources was established to oversee flood control, water diversion, dam safety, and public water protection.
By the mid-20th century, Chicago had developed an extensive system of intercepting sewers and sewage treatment plants, significantly reducing flooding and improving water quality in the city's waterways.
Advanced Water Purification Systems
Chicago's new water purification plants feature transparent pipes and advanced filtration systems, ensuring the highest quality of clean water for its residents.
These plants utilize cutting-edge technology to reduce energy consumption, making the purification process more sustainable and cost-effective.
Integrated systems continuously monitor water quality and operational efficiency, allowing for immediate adjustments to maintain optimal performance.
Current (no pun intended) Innovation
Founded in 2016, Current is a water innovation hub advancing water management and sustainability through initiatives like Great Lakes ReNew.
Great Lakes ReNew is supported by up to $160 million over 10 years from the U.S. National Science Foundation.
This initiative leverages partnerships across six states to drive water innovation and STEM education.
📊 Chart of the Week
Chicago ranks as the second-best US metro for manufacturing, with the largest inventory (226.4 million sq ft) and the second-largest workforce (287,000 jobs).
Supply chain shifts and government initiatives are benefiting Chicago. Despite a 23% leasing decrease, nearly 7 million sq ft were leased in Q1, with 83% of leases for spaces under 75,000 sq ft.
🗺️ Events Around The City
Monday Morning Run Club
Hosted by DripCo
Monday
AAPI Founded in Chicago - Happy Hour
Hosted by AAPI
Wednesday
NEW VENTURE CHALLENGE (NVC) FINALS
Hosted by UChicago
Thursday
CHAT Collective Q2 "Thoughtluck" BBQ
Thursday
Consumer Chi Coffee Club with Knack PR & Manufactured
Thursday
GenAI Workshop
Hosted by Microsoft and DataStax
Thursday
Chicago EdTech Happy Hour
Thursday
🗞 Latest Editions:
#59 - The Story of Tempus
#57 - Rivian Ignites Chicago
👋 See you next week!
The fastest growing AI club in Chicago is at @drivecapital. 📈
Less happy hours, more hackathons. @aiclubchicago
— Landon (@landon20s)
5:15 PM • May 26, 2024