TO: PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE
FROM: ALLISON SWISHER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
ANGELA M. KNIGHT, PUBLIC UTILITIES ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING INTERN
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SUBJECT:
Request for approval for Joliet Community Water Conservation Plan
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Joliet has determined that its current water source, the deep aquifer, will not be able to meet maximum day water demands by 2030. After a comprehensive analysis of possible options, the City concluded that purchasing Lake Michigan water from the City of Chicago was the most sustainable and reliable option. The City recognizes that Lake Michigan is a precious water source that provides water to millions of people and must be protected. Joliet water customers play an important role in the protection of this resource through water conservation. In order to encourage water conservation, a Community Water Conservation Plan has been developed to involve the community in water conservation efforts. Water conservation will demonstrate the City’s commitment to responsible use of Lake Michigan water and can reduce customer’s utility bills
CONCLUSION:
The Administration evaluated other municipal sustainability and conservation plans and worked with a Water Conservation Stakeholder Group to compile a list of several water conservation initiatives grouped into three categories: municipal, commercial, and residential. After evaluating the list against water saved, impacted community, direct cost, initial labor effort, maintenance labor effort, implementation schedule, coordination effort, implementation difficulty, and possible funding source, certain municipal initiatives are recommended for implementation in 2023. The estimated budget for these initiatives is $21,000.00 which will be recommended for inclusion in the 2023 Water and Sewer Fund budget. The other municipal initiatives will be reviewed for implementation in future years. All commercial and residential initiatives are recommended for implementation. A summary of the initiatives evaluated, and recommendations are presented in the Joliet Community Water Conservation Plan
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
The Administration recommends the Public Service Committee approve the proposed Joliet Community Water Conservation Plan and support budgeting $21,000.00 for implementation of the Plan in the 2023 Water & Sewer Fund.
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