What is this project about?

This project creates a connection allowing Chicago to provide drinking water to residents of Joliet, Channahon, Crest Hill, Minooka, Romeoville, and Shorewood, that have joined together to form the new Grand Prairie Water Commission (GPWC). These southwest suburban communities’ current water source – an underground aquifer that has served the region for more than 100 years – is rapidly depleting and by 2030 will no longer provide enough water to meet residents’ needs. To address this situation, the GPWC has entered into an agreement with Chicago to obtain treated Lake Michigan water. Joliet is leading the project on behalf of GPWC.

Why Chicago?
Through its Department of Water Management (DWM), Chicago provides treated Lake Michigan water to 5.3 million people in northeastern Illinois through a water system with a capacity of nearly 2.1 billion gallons per day. As a steward of this vital resource, Chicago wishes to assist Joliet and the GPWC to ensure their continued access to clean drinking water. In addition, the water supply agreement will provide additional revenue to Chicago’s Water Fund, which will help maintain our water system and reduce costs to Chicago residents.

Why Durkin Park?    

DWM’s Southwest Pumping Station adjacent to Durkin Park is the closest point where the GPWC can connect to Chicago’s water system. To achieve this, the project will construct a new water connection at that location.

When will the construction begin, and how long will it last? Which areas of Durkin Park will be affected? During construction, how will residents' access to recreational space be ensured?

The project (see graphic above) includes above ground additions -- shown in yellow and red -- on the Southwest Pumping Station (SWPS) site, and construction of an underground water reservoir on the south side of Durkin Park (shown in blue). 

Initial construction begins in 2025 on the SWPS site and does not affect Durkin Park. In 2026, construction begins on the south side of Durkin Park and is expected to last approximately two years, during which that area of the park will be unavailable (the rest of the park will remain open).

To minimize the inconvenience and to benefit the community, Joliet has provided funding to the Chicago Park District to construct improvements at nearby parks (Rainey, Bogan and Scottsdale) that will be completed before work begins at Durkin Park.

How will Durkin Park be restored after construction and how will the community benefit?

Once construction of the water reservoir underneath Durkin Park is complete, the park surface above will be restored with natural grass turf (based on community input received by the Chicago Park District) and returned to recreational use, together with the newly added park amenities at Durkin and surrounding parks.

How will residents be kept informed about construction at the Park?
In partnership with 18^th Ward Alderman Derrick Curtis’ office, Durkin Park Elementary School, and other stakeholders, DWM is hosting community meetings and providing emailed updates throughout the construction process. Residents are invited to sign up for updates by providing their email address at our community meetings or through the web pages that DWM, GPWC, and the Chicago Park District maintain on the Durkin Park project to keep residents informed.

Have questions or want more information? We want to hear from you!
As work on this historic project progresses, DWM, GPWC, Joliet and the Chicago Park District will work with the 18^th Ward Service Office and community organizations to keep residents informed and address questions and concerns.
We stand ready to answer your questions! Please feel free to reach out to the following contacts at any time.