Illinois American Water invested $297 million in water infrastructure upgrades in 2023
(UI) – In 2023, Illinois American Water will have invested $297 million in water and wastewater system infrastructure replacement and enhancements throughout the state. This work includes installing new pipes, pumps, hydrants, valves, lift stations, water treatment facilities, storage tanks, new water quality systems and technology.
Locally, in the company’s Eastern Division, the capital investment in infrastructure has reached $43.6 million in 2023. The Eastern Division is comprised of the Champaign, Pontiac, Sterling, and Streator water service areas; Fisher wastewater system; Villa Grove water and wastewater systems; and Tolono water and wastewater systems.
Examples of a few major 2023 capital projects in the Eastern Division (not a full list of local capital projects):
Transmission improvements (Phase 1), Streator ($4 million). To enhance the transmission capacity in the northern half of the Streator water distribution system, this project will install approximately 8,500 linear feet of 16-inch main, resulting in improvements to the resiliency and redundancy of the distribution system.
Water main replacement, Sterling ($2.7 million). Replacement of roughly 6,000 linear feet of water main along Wallace Street in Sterling.
Source water transmission main improvement, Champaign ($1.5 million). This project made interconnections and improved the piping associated with the source water transmission main. The project allows the ability to combine multiple wells and improves the reliability and resiliency of the source water for the Champaign Water Treatment Facilities.
Lead service line replacements, Villa Grove, ($4 million). In Villa Grove, during meter change outs, approximately 580 lead services lines were found that were replaced during 2023.
“Illinois American Water seeks to strategically and efficiently direct capital improvements where they are needed most. In the last decade, Illinois American Water has invested $1.6 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure throughout Illinois. These investments involved making repairs to existing infrastructure and replacement when needed,” said Rebecca Losli, president, Illinois American Water.
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