Lauren Underwood

Will County communities that are part of the Grand Prairie Water Commission celebrated the news this week that more than $1 million in new federal funds is committed to the Lake Michigan water hookup project.

Local leaders joined U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, Tuesday in Will County as she announced $1.092 million secured through the federal 2026 Community Project Funding.

The leaders also toured a construction site that marks another milestone in the development of a new regional water system that will serve more than 250,000 residents.

“Congresswoman Underwood understands that reliable water infrastructure is essential to our health, quality of life and economic future,” said Shorewood Mayor Clarence “C.C.” DeBold, chairman of the Grand Prairie Water Commission.

“Her efforts helped secure an investment that will benefit residents and businesses across our communities for generations. This grant will help build the infrastructure needed to provide a sustainable, reliable and high-quality water supply,” he said.

The celebration was held at the site of a water delivery structure currently under construction along Wildy Road, west of Ridge Road in Minooka.

The structure will serve as one of Minooka’s connections to the new regional system and represents one of 13 locations where Lake Michigan water will be delivered to GPWC member communities, according to a news release from the commission.

Communities in the Grand Prairie Water Commission are the cities of Joliet and Crest Hill and the villages of Channahon, Minooka, Romeoville and Shorewood

“Clean and safe drinking water is the foundation of a healthy community,” said Rep. Underwood. “I am so proud to secure these federal funds to strengthen our infrastructure in northern Illinois, support the Grand Prairie Water Commission, and make sure that our families have a healthy and reliable water source for generations to come.”

The commission has awarded two contracts for the construction of eight water delivery structures to date, with structures planned throughout the six member communities, according to the release.

During the next 12 months, the commission said it expects to award almost 20 additional construction contracts for more than 62 miles of water transmission main and other essential facilities.

The facilities are part of an about $1.5 billion regional transmission system being constructed to deliver treated Lake Michigan water purchased from the city of Chicago, according to the release.

The system is scheduled to begin serving member communities by 2030.

Communities in the region began evaluating alternative water sources in response to water quantity and quality challenges affecting their existing groundwater supplies.

Lake Michigan water was selected as the most sustainable and reliable source for meeting the region’s current and long-term needs.

Construction is underway on several other major elements of the system, including a water tunnel, water storage facility, and two pump stations at the Chicago site where the Grand Prairie Water Commission will obtain Lake Michigan water, according to the release.