Study finds Romeoville’s water use won’t be sustainable in coming decades

The village is exploring nine options for alternative water sources and a decision is expected to be made some time next year

The village of Romeoville said a study found that its use of water won’t be sustainable as soon as 20 years from now.

Strand Associates told the Village Board during its meeting on Wednesday that its study indicated that withdrawals on groundwater wells won’t be able to support the village between 2040 and 2070, according to a news release.

The village authorized a water survey of the sandstone aquifers in northeastern Illinois to be conducted by the Illinois State Water Survey in 2019. Romeoville draws its water from six deep wells and seven shallow wells located throughout the community.

After the survey, the village began exploring alternate water sources and is evaluating nine different options, including possible connections to get Lake Michigan water.

Other Will County communities, including Joliet, Channahon, Crest Hill, Homer Glen, Minooka, Rockdale and Shorewood are undergoing similar processes to find an alternative water source to the aquifers.

The village said a decision on Romeoville’s potential new water source is anticipated to be made sometime next year and public meetings on the matter will take place as more information becomes available, according to the release.