The City of Joliet government has announced a 100-year agreement to purchase treated Lake Michigan water from the city of Chicago beginning in 2030 to ensure a high-quality and sustainable water source for southwest suburban residents for generations to come.
The announcement of the agreement follows votes this week by the Joliet and Chicago City Councils and builds upon a preliminary agreement approved by the municipalities in 2021. Under the new long-term agreement, Chicago will supply water to Joliet and five other communities which will join the Grand Prairie Water Commission, currently in formation.
“This historic agreement will deliver fresh drinking water to the Joliet area in the long-term and address one of the greatest challenges facing our region,” Joliet mayor Bob O’Dekirk said. “It is a credit to our engaged residents and dedicated city staff that we were able to address this challenge head-on and reach an agreement upon which Joliet can build its future.”
The City of Joliet government draws its groundwater supply from wells throughout the City. Groundwater modeling studies conducted by the Illinois State Water Survey determined that the aquifer supplying the wells would not be able to meet maximum day water demands by 2030, and would create an urgency to identify an alternative water supply.
Under the agreement, Chicago will supply water to Joliet and the other Grand Prairie Water Commission members at a location on the southwest side of Chicago. Joliet and the Commission are responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the infrastructure required to move the treated water from Chicago to the southwest suburban region.
Rates to purchase water from Chicago will be calculated on a cost-of-service basis that requires Joliet to only pay for the cost of operating, maintaining, and administering, facilities required to produce and deliver the treated water for Joliet. Joliet will not be responsible for other costs such as replacement of lead service lines in Chicago, replacement of water transmission, or distribution mains in the Chicago system, or payment of pensions related to work performed prior to Chicago’s delivery of water.
Annual increases in Chicago water rates will be capped at the lesser of the calculated cost of service increase, the current rate of inflation, or a fixed 5% limit except under certain circumstances. The agreement is transferable from Joliet to the Grand Prairie Water Commission once the Commission is formed. In addition to Joliet, members of the Commission include Channahon, Crest Hill, Romeoville, Minooka, and Shorewood.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to learn more about Joliet’s Alternative Water Source Program at www.RethinkWaterJoliet.org.
—City of Joliet government