$1.45B Pipeline Project to Deliver Chicago Water to South Suburban Communities

Development has begun on a $1.45-billion, 60-mile water pipeline that may allow Chicago to supply consuming water to 6 south suburban communities that at present depend on wells not anticipated to have the ability to meet calls for by 2030.

The venture will ship consuming water from Lake Michigan to Joliet, In poor health., the state’s third largest metropolis, together with the close by municipalities of Channahon, Crest Hill, Minooka, Romeoville and Shorewood. These areas “have deep, historic underground aquifers which might be quickly depleting,” says David Kohn, deputy commissioner of Regional Partnerships for Chicago’s Dept. of Water Administration. “They wanted to discover a completely different water supply.”

Funding will likely be offered by the communities receiving the water, who will oversee the work below the newly shaped Grand Prairie Water Commission (GPWC), with Joliet taking the lead. The venture contains the development of greater than 62 miles of huge diameter
transmission fundamental, constructed of metal and concrete and measuring between 16 in. to 66 in. in dia; three pump stations; two water storage tanks; and 13 water supply constructions. 

The pipeline will run about 30 miles from Chicago to Joliet and embrace an extra 30 miles of pipeline to distribute water to the assorted communities; It is anticipated to serve 250,000 individuals when full in 2030. It is going to ship 55 million gallons of water a day, with capability to ship as much as 105 million gallons a day sooner or later. The longest pipeline at present carrying Lake Michigan water to the suburbs is 16 miles lengthy. 

Michels Trenchless, Brownsville, Wis., is the contractor for step one within the venture, now underway, to create a brand new connection to Chicago’s water system on the Southwest Pumping Station, situated close to Durkin Park within the 4000 block of South Western Avenue in Chicago. GPWC can also be establishing an adjoining 4-million-gallon reservoir. “This reservoir
will assist the operation of the excessive service
pump station that may drive water by means of
the regional transmission system to the
supply factors for the member communities.
The reservoir will likely be largely under grade and
lined with landscaping to mix into an
current park,” the group explains on its web site.

Stantec is offering engineering, land acquisition, allowing, funding assist, and administration companies. Crawford, Murphy & Tilly is a significant sub-consultant to Stantec, additionally offering engineering companies. 

There are about 25 extra bid packages posted on GPWC’s web site, together with work to be finished at pumping service stations, tunnel extensions, water transmission strains, storage amenities, video surveillance, river crossings and safety. 

“It is a very bold venture with an enormous quantity of labor going into it,” Kohn says, including that the venture is “historic … it’s the largest enlargement of the Chicago water system in three many years.”

Offering water to the suburban communities is anticipated to generate $30 million in annual income for Chicago.