Construction has begun on a $1.5 billion regional water infrastructure project that will deliver Lake Michigan water from Chicago to six southwest suburban communities through the newly formed Grand Prairie Water Commission (GPWC).
The project will serve approximately 250,000 residents in Joliet, Crest Hill, Channahon, Minooka, Romeoville, and Shorewood. The system includes a 60-mile transmission pipeline, three pumping stations, and three water storage tanks. Crews will build two 55-million-gallon-per-day pump stations and a 4-million-gallon storage facility at Chicago’s Southwest Pumping Station. Construction is expected to continue through 2029, with water delivery projected to begin in 2030.
The City of Joliet and the City of Chicago signed a 100-year agreement to supply water to the GPWC, which will become the second-largest customer in Chicago’s water system. The arrangement is expected to generate $30 million in annual revenue for Chicago’s Department of Water Management.
The Illinois State Water Survey determined that existing aquifers used by the six communities will no longer meet demand by 2030. To finance the new system, participating municipalities are relying on low-interest loans from state and federal agencies. Officials anticipate increases in water bills, with most communities planning phased rate adjustments to manage costs.
The project also includes community investment components, such as a $2 million contribution from GPWC to fund park improvements in Chicago. Officials estimate that the new system could eventually serve up to 500,000 residents as demand grows.