Sao Paulo Partners of the Americas and Botucatu’ Sao Paulo Brazil representatives toured the Kirie Water Reclamation Plant in Des Plaines. Representatives were interested in learning about the energy-saving heating and cooling system and water reclamation processes. According to Commissioner Frank Avila, the system will save the area money in maintenance expenses. “The sewerthermal heat pump system works by transferring heat from a lower temperature carrier to a higher temperature carrier. In the winter, the system extracts heat from the effluent to heat the buildings, and in the summer the heat is transferred into the water to cool the building,” explained Avila. The Kirie Water Reclamation plant serves approximately 217,000 people. Facility tours are available by contacting 312-751-6633. More information can be found online at www.mwrd.org.