EVANSTON, IL - The City of Evanston will soon begin a $47.2 million construction project to replace the oldest water intake at the Evanston Water Utility, helping to provide high-quality, safe and reliable drinking water to nearly 500,000 people in Evanston and surrounding communities. 

Built in 1909, the 36-/42-inch diameter intake is one of three that bring raw water from Lake Michigan into the City’s Water Plant, where it is treated and distributed to Evanston water customers. The intake has reached the end of its useful life, and will be replaced by a 60-inch diameter pipeline that extends approximately one mile into Lake Michigan.

Construction timeline

Construction is anticipated to begin in mid-March 2023 and continue to the end of 2024.

-The first phase of the project will include contractor mobilization and shore-side work north of Lincoln Street Beach. Normal work hours will be 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

-The second phase of the project is expected to begin in July 2023, and will include underwater excavation and installation of the pipeline in Lake Michigan. Lake work will occur around the clock as conditions allow. Weekend and holiday work will not be permitted for the first 1,000 feet of pipeline installation near the shore.

Work will pause in fall 2023 as lake conditions deteriorate, and will resume in the spring 2024. All work is expected to be complete and the intake put into service by the end of 2024.

Design and permitting for the replacement of this intake began in 2019.

Improvements

The new intake features a number of improvements that will increase the reliability and resiliency of the region’s water supply system, including:

-Preventing damage. The intake will be buried in the lake bed to provide increased protection from hazards.

-Improving resiliency. The larger diameter pipeline will provide adequate water supply and account for fluctuations in lake levels due to climate change.

-Protecting wildlife. Design updates will slow the flow of water to better protect wildlife from becoming entrapped.

-Enhancing reliability. A heating system and flow meters will help monitor and prevent ice from blocking water intake.

Funding

This project is funded by state and federal low-interest loan programs. $31.1 million is being provided by the federal Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). $20.4 million is being provided by the State Revolving Fund Public Water Supply Loan Program managed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), which also receives a portion of its funding from the EPA. 

These loan programs cover the cost of construction, as well as eligible engineering, contingency, and financing costs.

About the Evanston Water Utility

The City of Evanston provides reliable, high-quality drinking water to almost 500,000 people and 60,000 businesses throughout Evanston, the Northwest Water Commission (serving Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Palatine, and Wheeling), Skokie, Morton Grove, Niles, and Lincolnwood. 

For more information, please call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents may simply dial 311 in Evanston.

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