Linking Communities Through Water

What is WaterLink?

The WaterLink project is a 30-mile water pipeline extension to provide Lake Michigan drinking water to the suburban communities of Montgomery, Oswego, and Yorkville. The communities are currently served with water from the Ironton-Galesville aquifer, which will be insufficient to provide water for the growing population. The WaterLink communities first began studying long-term source water solutions nearly ten years ago, considering a variety of options before ultimately identifying Lake Michigan water from the DuPage Water Commission as the preferred alternative in 2021. This significant project to expand the Lake Michigan water service area is among Illinois’s most important projects in the last 30 years.

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Aerial view of Oswego, IL with a white church, commercial buildings, parking lots, residential houses, and a green forest in the background under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A diagram of the water treatment process for Lake Michigan water supply, showing various stages including Lake Michigan, William E. Dever Water Intake Crib, James W. Jardine Water Purification Plant, Lexington Pumping Station, DuPage Reservoirs, and Waterlink community distribution.
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Download a PDF version of this infographic HERE.

“Our collaboration with the DuPage Water Commission, along with Montgomery and Yorkville, has provided cost savings and a more strategic way to provide our community with a safe and sustainable water source.”

Ryan Kauffman | Oswego Village President

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Project Updates

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  • The WaterLink project is scheduled to commence in Fall 2025 and be completed in 2028 - after which time the WaterLink communities can connect to the new water source.

  • The WaterLink communities will provide funding for the project using a combination of federal loans and local funds. Each community’s water rates will continue to be established by their respective Board/Council.

  • For more information on Montgomery water rates, click here.

    For more information on Oswego water rates, click here.

    For more information on Yorkville water rates, click here.

  • For real-time construction updates, click here or visit the “Construction Updates” page. You can also see a map of the project with real-time information here. Additional information related to construction being performed by the WaterLink Communities can be found on their respective websites or by contacting them directly.

  • There is nothing you need to do to prepare for the change of water source. More information will be provided through this website and your community about Lake Michigan water being delivered as construction nears completion.

  • The switch to Lake Michigan water will occur over a transition period. You may notice some differences once the transition is complete, with some being more subtle than others. The taste may be slightly different, with Lake Michigan water having a generally neutral taste. Lake Michigan water is also softer than water from the aquifer, having less calcium and magnesium. As a result, you might be able to remove any water softeners that are currently in operation after consulting with your municipality.

  • A study is being performed to assess potential impacts to piping from each community associated with the change in water sources. Appropriate measures will be implemented if necessary. The new water source will be required to meet or exceed all IEPA standards for drinking water.

  • Drinking water from Lake Michigan is currently treated by the Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM). Additional information on this process can be found on the DWM website here. The treated water is then delivered to the DuPage Water Commission, where it is pumped throughout its distribution network.

  • Each community will maintain its existing wells, which can be utilized in the event of an emergency.

  • Upon completion of the project, water billing will continue to be performed by each of the WaterLink Communities, just as it is now. Your community will purchase water from the DuPage Water Commission and will bill each customer based on their individual usage.

  • Subscribe to construction updates here, follow us on social media and visit this website regularly!

WaterLink FAQs

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