LaSalle holds public hearing on $9.7 million water treatment upgrades, including new deep well and emergency generator

LaSalle held a public hearing on proposed improvements to its water treatment plant that, according to city staff, are designed to improve supply resiliency and replace aging equipment.

The project scope presented includes construction of a new deep well and well house; replacement of the plant’s high-service pumps and variable frequency drives; a new HMO chemical system to treat potential radium in the new well; two redundant aeration and detention basins ahead of the treatment train; replacement of raw water pumps and VFDs; a new dehumidifier; an emergency generator to serve the plant and the deep well; and replacement of 22 hydrants and 24 distribution valves. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) preliminary environmental impact determination lists the project cost at $9,708,000 and estimates construction starting in December 2025 with completion around June 2027.

Terry, a City of LaSalle staff member presenting the plan, said the city has only shallow wells at present and that “the wells have a problem really keeping up with the demand” during low river conditions. Terry said the deep well is…