Illinois American bringing pump online, work progressing on new water tower in Sterling

Illinois American Water is expected to complete work on its water tower sometime in the next few months, and the tower will come online this summer as planned.

While work will wrap up in the first quarter of 2021, painting will have to wait until the temperatures warm up, so the tower should come online mid-to-late summer.

The high-service pump, which is also part of the project, is being brought online this month.

The work is part of a $5.9 million investment in the Sterling water system.

Construction began in June 2020. The high-service pump on 1st St. in Sterling will help reduce concerns of groundwater infiltration and allow the system to run off a pressure system.

The tower, on 29th St. in Sterling, replaced a tower built in the 1990s and will double the old tower’s storage capacity, from 250,000 gallons to 500,000. This will support adequate water pressure for homes and businesses. The current tower will be taken offline.

“After the new pump station is brought online, the previous facility will be retired and demolished,” Illinois American Water’s Charlotte Dunne said in a statement given to Sauk Valley Media. “Restoration of the property will also provide production employees with easier access to the plant. This reinforces our commitment to our employees who deliver essential water service to their friends and neighbors.”

Illinois American Water expects no disruption to service during the transition to the new tower.