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Our Water Distribution Systems
Potable Water Supply Services
The Lake County Public Works Department owns and operates twelve public water supply distribution systems. The employees who maintain these water systems are certified under the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Drinking Water Operator Certification Program. Water quality is monitored and samples are tested in accordance with strict United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) technical review criteria.
Click on one of the water systems shown on the map to identify the water system name. Scroll down for additional information about the water systems.
Arden Shores (11)
The Arden Shores system receives its water supply from the City of North Chicago. The water is pumped from Lake Michigan and treated at the North Chicago Water Plant located at 35 Lakeview Drive, North Chicago. The Arden Shores distribution system includes 0.8 mile of water main.
Brooks Farm (2)
The Brooks Farm system is served by two wells and an iron removal treatment facility located on Brooks Farm Road at Needlegrass Drive. Both wells are drilled into a water bearing sand and gravel aquifer located 130 feet below ground. Water treatment is provided to remove excess natural iron concentrations. The water main distribution system includes five miles of pipe interconnecting the wells and an elevated tank that provides 400,000 gallons of water storage capacity.
Countryside Lake (6)
Four wells serve the Countryside Lake system. One is located on Thorntree Road, a second is on Lakeview Parkway at Countryside Lake Drive, and the remainder are south of Midlothian Road at Countryside Lake Drive. Three of the four wells reach into water bearing aquifers of limestone or sand and gravel formations 250-350 feet below ground. The other is drilled into a sandstone aquifer over 800 feet deep. The distribution system includes 11 miles of water mains that interconnect the well sites with an elevated tank that provides 250,000 gallons of water storage capacity.
Forest Lake (8)
This system receives its water supply from Aqua Illinois, Inc. The Aqua Illinois water system, located at the intersection of Midlothian and Old McHenry Roads, includes two groundwater wells, an ion exchange system to treat the water supply, and a 370,000-gallon water storage reservoir. The water distribution system that serves the subdivision includes 0.9 miles of water main pipe interconnecting the Aqua water supply and County water customers.
Fox Lake Hills (1)
Water for this distribution system is purchased by Lake County from the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency (CLCJAWA), an intergovernmental cooperative formed by the communities it serves. The water is pumped from Lake Michigan and treated by CLCJAWA at the Paul M. Neal Water Treatment Facility in Lake Bluff. The delivery system includes 11 miles of water main and storage reservoirs holding 150,000 gallons of water storage capacity. As added reliability, some of the existing wells are available as a back up to the Lake Michigan supply.
Grandwood Park (4)
Water for this distribution system is purchased by Lake County from the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency (CLCJAWA), an intergovernmental cooperative formed by the communities it serves. The water is pumped from Lake Michigan and treated by CLCJAWA at the Paul M. Neal Water Treatment Facility in Lake Bluff. The delivery system includes 22 miles of water main and storage reservoirs holding 830,000 gallons of combined water storage capacity. As added reliability, some of the existing wells are available as a back up to the Lake Michigan supply.
Hawthorn Woods (7)
This system receives its water supply from Aqua Illinois, Inc. The Aqua Illinois water system, located at the intersection of Midlothian Road and Old McHenry Road, includes two wells, an ion exchange system to treat the water supply, and a 370,000-gallon storage reservoir. The distribution system includes five miles of water main that interconnects the Aqua water supply and County water customers.
Highland Lake (3)
Two wells serve the Highland Lake system. One is located on North Circle Drive and the other on South Circle Drive. The wells are drilled into a water bearing limestone aquifer 250-350 feet below ground. The distribution system includes 1.5 miles of water main, which interconnects the two wells and two storage tanks that provide 13,000 gallons of water storage capacity.
Knollwood (10)
Water for this distribution system is purchased by Lake County from the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency (CLCJAWA), an intergovernmental cooperative formed by the communities it serves. The water is pumped from Lake Michigan and treated by CLCJAWA at the Paul M. Neal Water Treatment Facility in Lake Bluff. The deliver system includes 48 miles of water main and two water storage reservoirs holding a total of 1,150,000 gallons of water storage capacity. As added reliability, an interconnection exists in our Vernon Hills water system.
Pekara (12)
There are five wells serving this system. They are located on Juneway Avenue, Pekara Drive at Walnut Drive (2), Pekara Drive at the Reservoir and north of Penguin Lane. Four of the five wells reach into water bearing limestone aquifers 140-280 feet below ground. The other is drilled into a sandstone aquifer, 900 feet deep. The distribution system includes 13 miles of water main that connects the five well sites with a water reservoir that provides 500,000 gallons of water storage capacity.
The drinking water produced by the Pekara water system meets or exceeds all EPA requirements for drinking water safety. However, the groundwater wells that supply water have reached their useful life expectancy and are in need of upgrades. In addition, the County has received some customer comments regarding aesthetic issues (including odor, taste, and color) with groundwater in this area.
The County is currently evaluating water treatment and alternative water supply options for the Pekara water system to ensure a long-term sustainable strategy for this system.
Vernon Hills (9)
Water for this distribution system is purchased by Lake County from the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency (CLCJAWA), an intergovernmental cooperative formed by the communities it serves. The water is pumped from Lake Michigan and treated by CLCJAWA at the Paul M. Neal Water Treatment Facility in Lake Bluff. The delivery system includes 118 miles of water main and six storage reservoirs holding 3.9 million gallons of water storage capacity. As added reliability, an interconnection to our water system in Knollwood exists.
Wildwood (5)
Water for this distribution system is purchased by Lake County from the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency (CLCJAWA), an intergovernmental cooperative formed by the communities it serves. The water is pumped from Lake Michigan and treated by CLCJAWA at the Paul M. Neal Water Treatment Facility in Lake Bluff. The delivery system includes 58 miles of water main, one water tower, and two storage reservoirs holding 1.6 million gallons of water storage capacity.