With the enactment of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (Public Law 92-500) new national goals have been established for the elimination of pollutant discharges into our streams and lakes. The bi-state study area includes most of the Chicago Metropolitan area of Illinois and a significant portion of the highly urbanized and industrialized northwestern corner of Indiana. The primary objectives of the study were to identify and evaluate viable alternative wastewater management systems that would be responsive to the intent of Public Law 92-500. These alternatives were designed to offer an array of regional solutions to an areawide problem. Also considered was the potential for multiple-use planning in meeting local water and related land requirements. This included opportunities for effectively recycling and reusing the area's natural resources. On-going regional planning goals for meeting current water quality standards and guidelines were also evaluated. This was done to identify the implications of the new national water quality goals.