Illinois Water Supply Planning

A changing society with increasing laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to a better understanding of the environment, water, and land use has created a complex maze. Growth of urban areas, increased water use, and lack of available space for water storage collectively increase water costs and those of developing new sources. These societal changes, population growth, and growing demands have led to more conflicts over water supplies. Although much data on water supplies and use have been collected, they are not complete, particularly about many water uses, thereby limiting wise decision making. Past water-supply planning too often has been fragmentary, with few recommendations for improvements adopted.

Illinois’ ever-growing population and commercial base increasingly demand quality water supplies. Projections of demands for metropolitan Chicago and other major urban areas show water shortages will appear soon if nothing is done. Another problem is uncertain fluctuations in supplies due to climatic extremes such as droughts and floods. Droughts quickly can create water shortages, and floods often damage waste water treatment facilities and send polluted water into streams and rivers. Although there are major scientific uncertainties about the type of climate change that will occur in Illinois, the state’s precipitation and temperatures will change, placing additional stress on water supplies, depending on the types and magnitudes of climate change.