The City of Joliet is hosting a public forum to present the findings of the Phase II Alternative Water Source Study. The forum will take place tonight (Dec 5th) from 5 – 7 PM at Cantigny VFW, 826 Horseshoe Drive, Joliet. The alternative water sources were evaluated during the Study based on cost, raw water quality, water quantity/sustainability, operation and maintenance requirements, risk to implementation and control.
The Study was launched in August of 2018 to evaluate alternatives for a new source of water for the City. An initial list of 14 potential sources was reduced to five, including the Illinois River, Kankakee River, Lake Michigan through the Chicago Department of Water Management, Lake Michigan through the DuPage Water Commission and Lake Michigan through a new Indiana intake. The final report along with an interactive decision matrix can be found on the website at www.rethinkwaterjoliet.org/reports . The City’s current source of water is the deep well aquifer that will no longer be able to meet the City’s needs by 2030.
The results of the study were presented at a joint City Council and Environmental Commission workshop on November 14. “While cost and technical factors are important in making this decision, there are other factors that need to be considered. We need to know what our residents think,” said Mayor O’Dekirk. The Council is expected to make a decision at the January 7, 2020 City Council meeting following a recommendation from the City’s Environmental Commission at their December 10, 2019 meeting.
Tonight’s forum will provide attendees an opportunity to view exhibits and have one on one conversations with team members from 5:00 to 5:30. At 5:30 a formal presentation will be given followed by questions and answers. The event will conclude with a public comment period. Residents and businesses are encouraged to learn more about the study to identify an alternative water source at www.RethinkWaterJoliet.org, or by following the initiative through Facebook and Twitter.
Visitors to the website can also sign-up for e-mail updates for the latest news on the initiative. Comments can be submitted at any time by emailing rethinkwater@joliet.gov, via the website at www.rethinkwaterjoliet.org/contact, or by calling the Utilities Department at 815-724-4220.
