Project Location:  Subdivision west of Highland Lake in unincorporated Avon Township, north side of Washington St., and the vicinity of Wilmar Avenue, Gerwal Avenue and Eldor Avenue on the east side of Highland Lake.  

Project Description:  Lake County Public Works (LCPW) completed a study to identify the needs of the Highland Lake water system. The study identified necessary modernization to add capacity and make the system more resilient in emergency situations. Separately, LCPW was approached by a smaller, private system with improvement needs, and we observed a mutual benefit from system interconnection. 

Improvements will be constructed in two phases:    

1. The interconnection of both systems with a water main installed on the north side of Washington Street.  
2. Construction of a 100,000-gallon storage tank and small booster pump building, as well as drilling one well.  All improvements will occupy a single site.     

The Phase 1 water main interconnection will be constructed in 2023, and Phase 2 will be constructed in 2024-2025 pending project readiness. Site selection for Phase 2 is underway.   

In response to community input, we revised our project approach.  An earlier project concept would have constructed two wells and a smaller hydropneumatic storage tank, which would require two sites and two buildings to house equipment.  We reevaluated our options and identified an alternative that will utilize one site. That alternative is to install a 100,000-gallon storage tank and small booster pump building.   

The Highland Lake Property Owner's Association invited LCPW to present information on the project at its meeting on Oct. 29, 2022. View the PowerPoint slides presented at the meeting. Note, these slides reference the earlier project concept which would have occupied two sites. The revised scope will utilize one site with a different type of water storage structure

This project is supported in whole by federal award number 21.027 awarded to Lake County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury in the amount of $2.5 million to improve the Highland Lake Water System. ARPA funds represent 100% of the total project funding.  

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why is this project needed?
LCPW proactively maintains our infrastructure and we study improvement needs. A recent study identified a modernization need to provide more water storage capacity. The Highland Lake water system is in need of improvements now, and the additional well and storage capacity would serve as a backup for emergency conditions or planned service interruptions.    

Will these improvements serve me?  
The Highland Lake community is served by LCPW sewer service, and a portion of residents are served by LCPW water service. Examine your customer bill for more information. 

Where will the well and building be located?
LCPW is evaluating sites for the facilities, and we will work with existing property owners to secure land access and permission.  

Why is a building needed? 
Wells and water storage facilities require disinfection equipment and electrical controls that should be stored indoors. Ground storage tanks require pumps to quickly supply water to the system and to circulate water in the tank.   

Why do storage tanks need to be above ground? 
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) no longer allows storage tanks to be buried, as the tanks need to be inspected and maintained.   

Will there be an extra cost to customers? 
This project is being funded by the American Recovery Plan Act, and the rates of existing customers will not be affected by the project.  Existing user rates do change over time, and you may see changes in your rate during the course of this project. These changes would not be related to this project.   

Why did the project concept change to use just one site? 
In response to community input, we reevaluated our project scope and identified a way to consolidate the improvements on a single site, rather than using two sites.   

Why aren’t you bringing Lake Michigan water to the community? 
Overall, LCPW has a goal of bringing a Lake Michigan water source to existing well water systems, but that effort takes significant time and resources. The Highland Lake water system needs upgrades now, and the additional well and storage capacity would serve as a backup for emergency conditions or planned service interruptions.    

How do I say informed? 

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