Reliable, Sustainable, Resilient Water for Local CommunitiesWater is the foundation of every communities' public health, economic prosperity, environmental integrity, and quality of life. As a fundamental human right, it is essential that water systems are prepared to meet the needs of both current and future generations. Lake Michigan provides drinking water to nearly 6.6 million people in Illinois, making it the largest public drinking water supply in the state. The Lake Michigan Regional Water Supply Initiative is a landmark regional infrastructure project that will deliver a modern, state-of-the-art water system. It will provide a source-to-tap connection between Lake Michigan and local communities, supplying safe, clean, and reliable water to Northeastern Illinois for generations to come.
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Infrastructure
Designed to adapt, expand, and perform over time, the water system is being built to meet today's water quality standards while preparing for emerging technologies, evolving water resource challenges, and future growth. This investment will establish a durable foundation for the region's long-term water future.
The infrastructure consists of three elements: a raw water intake and tunnel, water purification facility, and purified water transmission tunnel. The raw water intake and tunnel will draw water from Lake Michigan and deliver it to a water purification facility. At the water purification facility, the water will go through several treatment steps to transform it into safe, high-quality drinking water. Once treated, the drinking water will travel through the purified water transmission tunnel to pumping stations which will deliver the water directly to homes, schools, businesses, hospitals, and other essential community service facilities across Northeastern Illinois.
Service AreaOnce complete, the system will connect Lake Michigan to more than 30 communities and 1.5 million people across Northeastern Illinois. From Rolling Meadows to Woodridge and Bensenville to Yorkville, the system will serve communities throughout DuPage, Cook, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties. Built with capacity for future growth, it can also extend to more than 20 additional communities and 775,000 people.
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Project Timeline
The Lake Michigan Regional Water Supply Initiative will be the largest water infrastructure project in the Midwest, and one of the largest in the United States. The project will be completed over a 15 year period, including a 10 year construction period.
The Feasibility & Comprehensive Plan phase of the project began in 2023 and continues through the end of 2026. Key milestones include site acquisition in 2024 and completion of the comprehensive plan in 2026. Following this phase, the project enters design and permitting. During this time, surveyors and other professionals may begin work along the corridor to better understand site conditions. Construction follows and spans approximately 10 years.
The DuPage Water Commission’s (DWC) contract with their current provider will end in 2041. This creates time constraint on the project, requiring project partners to remain on schedule over the next 15 years to meet this deadline and prevent supply chain and economic disruption.
The Feasibility & Comprehensive Plan phase of the project began in 2023 and continues through the end of 2026. Key milestones include site acquisition in 2024 and completion of the comprehensive plan in 2026. Following this phase, the project enters design and permitting. During this time, surveyors and other professionals may begin work along the corridor to better understand site conditions. Construction follows and spans approximately 10 years.
The DuPage Water Commission’s (DWC) contract with their current provider will end in 2041. This creates time constraint on the project, requiring project partners to remain on schedule over the next 15 years to meet this deadline and prevent supply chain and economic disruption.
Highlights
- 2023 – 2026: Feasibility & Comprehensive Plan
- 2024: Water Purification Facility Site Acquisition Complete
- 2026: Comprehensive Plan Complete
- 2026: Program Management Organization Contract
- 2026 – 2031: Design & Permits
- 2029: Enabling Construction Starts
- 2031 – 2041: Construction
- 2041 – On: Operational
- 2041: DWC Current Water Supply Contract Ends
