Joliet plans $112 million upgrade at wastewater treatment plant
Joliet plans $112 million upgrade at wastewater treatment plant The Herald-News
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Joliet Plans $112 Million Expansion of West Side Wastewater Treatment Plant
Joliet plans to spend $112 million to expand capacity and make other improvements at its West Side Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Background
The plant, built in 1972, is in need of significant upgrades, according to Utilities Director Allison Swisher. The last major upgrade was conducted in 2002.
Contract Approval
At the September 17 meeting, the City Council approved a $6.2 million contract with Strand Associates to design the plant upgrades and expansion.
Cost and Funding
The construction costs alone are estimated to be $97 million. The cost of the plant upgrades has been factored into future Joliet water and sewer rates, which will fund the project.
Timeline
Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2026, with completion expected by June 2030.
Project Objectives
The project aims to increase treatment capacity, meet regulatory standards for wastewater, and replace aging equipment.
Increased Capacity
The upgrades will increase treatment capacity from 14 million gallons a day to 18 million gallons a day. Currently, the plant handles 12 million gallons of wastewater daily.
Future Growth
The increased capacity will enable the plant to accommodate future growth in the area it serves.
Regional Impact
In addition to serving a large section of Joliet, the West Side plant also provides wastewater treatment for the villages of Shorewood and Channahon through agreements with those municipalities.
Location
The plant is situated in an industrial area off of U.S. Route 6 near Interstate 55. It is one of three wastewater treatment plants in Joliet.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
- Indicator 6.3.1: Proportion of wastewater safely treated.
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SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
- Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road.
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SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
- Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate.
Analysis
The article discusses Joliet’s plan to spend $112 million to expand capacity and make improvements at its West Side Wastewater Treatment Plant. Based on the content of the article, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:
1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
The expansion and improvements at the wastewater treatment plant align with SDG 6, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The upgrades will increase treatment capacity, improve water quality, and reduce pollution, contributing to the target of improving water quality and reducing untreated wastewater.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
The investment in expanding and upgrading the wastewater treatment plant is connected to SDG 9, which focuses on developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The improvements will enhance the reliability and sustainability of the plant’s infrastructure, supporting economic development and human well-being.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant contribute to SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. By increasing treatment capacity and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, the plant will support sustainable urbanization and the management of human settlements.
The specific targets and indicators identified based on the article’s content are:
Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
The expansion and improvements at the wastewater treatment plant align with this target by aiming to improve water quality, reduce pollution, and increase the proportion of wastewater that is safely treated.
Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
The investment in expanding and upgrading the wastewater treatment plant supports this target by developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure for water and sanitation services, contributing to economic development and ensuring equitable access to clean water for all.
Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
The improvements at the wastewater treatment plant contribute to this target by enhancing the capacity for sustainable urbanization and integrated human settlement planning. The increased treatment capacity will support future growth in the area it serves, ensuring sustainable development.
Based on the article, the following indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
Indicator 6.3.1: Proportion of wastewater safely treated.
This indicator can be used to measure the progress in improving water quality and reducing untreated wastewater. The expansion and improvements at the wastewater treatment plant aim to increase the proportion of wastewater that is safely treated.
Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road.
Although not explicitly mentioned in the article, the investment in infrastructure improvements at the wastewater treatment plant indirectly contributes to this indicator by enhancing the reliability and accessibility of infrastructure in the area it serves.
Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate.
Again, not explicitly mentioned in the article, but the improvements at the wastewater treatment plant can indirectly contribute to this indicator by supporting sustainable urbanization and managing land consumption in line with population growth.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally. | Indicator 6.3.1: Proportion of wastewater safely treated. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. | Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries. | Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate. |
Source: shawlocal.com
