Water Treatment Plant Plan Advances

(January 11, 2006, as appeared in the Chicago Tribune)

Geneva aldermen Monday approved the final planned unit development for the new water treatment facility at Peck and Keslinger Roads.

The facility will provide the city with 8 millions gallons a day of radium-compliant drinking water after processing by a reverse osmosis water treatment system. The plant will become operational at the end of 2007, which is the Illinois Environmental Pollution Agency deadline for the city to become radium compliant.

The water supply and well water pipelines are out for bids now, with additional bids for the facility going out this week. Construction is expected to begin this fall.

Scott Fronek of Black & Veatch consultants described the architectural features of the plant, which will look like farm buildings with red barn like structures and a steel silo.

The cost of the project will be between $30 million and $35 million.

Aldermen will take a final vote on the plan Tuesday at 7 p.m. in City Hall.

Copyright 2006, Chicago Tribune