Homer Glen outlines plan for village-owned wastewater plant after Lockport agreement ends
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Summary
Homer Glen officials say they will build a phased wastewater treatment plant, bought nearly 30 acres for the site and submitted a facilities plan to the Illinois EPA to pursue low-interest State Revolving Fund financing, targeting operation by 2030.
Brett Westcott, the village engineer, introduced the site for Homer Glen’s proposed wastewater treatment plant and said the village is moving to build its own facility after its treatment agreement with the City of Lockport was not renewed.
An agency official said Lockport informed the village that the existing wastewater treatment agreement will expire in 2030 and will not be renewed, prompting Homer Glen to evaluate long-term options including constructing a local plant to reduce dependence on outside providers. "Lockport has informed the village that our wastewater agreement will expire in 2030 and will not be renewed," the agency official said.
The village reviewed several locations in 2024 and selected nearly 30 acres at the northeast corner of 159th Street and Gougar Road, the agency official said; the village completed the purchase in 2025. "I'm village engineer Brett Westcott and this is a future home to Homer Glen's proposed wastewater treatment plant," Westcott said at the site.
Officials said a facilities plan was completed and submitted to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to seek low-interest financing through the IEPA State Revolving Fund Loan Program. Engineering proposals are being reviewed and design work is expected to begin soon, with an operational target of 2030.
The plant is planned in phases. At full build-out it would serve about 3,000 acres and treat up to 3,000,000 gallons per day, while the initial phase is expected to serve roughly 2,500 residents and allow room for expansion as the community grows. Near-term sewer extensions along Cedar Road and 159th Street are planned for 2026 to expand service into undeveloped areas, and additional extensions are being studied to reach currently unsewered neighborhoods.
Funding officials described a mix of low-interest loans, potential federal grants and connection fees from new users as the preferred approach so current Illinois American Water customers would not bear the new costs. The agency official said the project will include environmental features — a polishing wetland, stormwater-management improvements and landscaping — intended to help the facility blend with the surrounding area.
Village officials said the new plant would not change service for existing Illinois American Water customers and argued that, without a village plant, some areas could remain unserved and private providers might enter the market with higher rates. The village is continuing design and financing work and expects to pursue IEPA funding and complete engineering in the coming years to meet its 2030 target.
Next steps include selecting a design team from the proposals under review, continuing IEPA permitting and financing work, and implementing the first phase of sewer extensions in 2026, village officials said.