Water Supply
Water supply in Northeastern Illinois is usually obtained from groundwater wells. We maintain an extensive library of hydro-geologic data and well records, both our own and historic, which enables us to evaluate the underground supply capabilities of a specific area and thus design wells which will best meet the needs of the client. We have found that our research has resulted in wells which conform closely to our expectations as to underground conditions and water yields, which prevents the client from drilling multiple wells "looking" for water.

Our well designs have ranged from 6-inch to 30-inch diameter, 200 to 1,800 feet deep, limestone, gravel and sandstone aquifers, and capacities of 150 gpm to over 1,000 gpm. Our storage facility designs are based upon the needs of the system and have included a 2.5 million gallon stand pipe, a 1.0 million gallon ground reservoir, 30,000 to 1,500,000 gallon elevated tanks, and small pneumatic systems. Near our wells is the well house that typically contains the treatment systems and system pumps to provide the water distribution with adequate pressure and a quality of water that exceeds IEPA requirements. Depending on the client's needs, we have provided designs for systems to remove nuisance minerals such as iron and calcium from the water, which is typically not regulated by the IEPA.

Our water distribution system designs have ranged from small communities to large systems including the design of a 42-inch diameter transmission main for the City of Joliet. Since the majority of our clients are older communities which were developed before the age of planning, water extensions and/or replacements have been made on an as-needed basis and vary from short distances to miles in length. However, no matter the length an analysis is needed to determine sizing to produce proper pressure. Not only is our staff educated and experienced in water system analysis we are also experienced in the use of several computer software programs which we use to back-up our judgment.

Of particular value in water distribution design is this computer capability. The entire water distribution systems of many communities are entered in our computer programs enabling us to determine normal and emergency supply rates and pressures throughout and at any point in the system for any desired situation and thus evaluate the system for "bottleneck" solutions. As part of our subdivision review process we enter the proposed system additions to our models and investigate them for their ability to satisfy normal and fire requirements within the proposed development and also to assure that they can transmit flows through the system to meet future needs.