Joliet, Illinois Development News

Preston Heights Residents Decry Frequent Water Outages Amid Aging Infrastructure Failures

Residents of the Preston Heights neighborhood, served by the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District, voiced significant concerns regarding frequent water main breaks and prolonged water outages. Since February 1st, approximately 40 water main breaks have occurred, leading to water service disruptions lasting 24 to 72 hours. Residents highlighted the financial burden of purchasing water, the inability to perform basic hygiene and household tasks, and a lack of clear communication and accountability from the city regarding repairs and the aging infrastructure, which is reportedly over 100 years old. A contract approved on July 20th is expected to begin improvements, but residents are seeking immediate relief and a clear timeline for permanent solutions, including potential involvement from emergency management and external funding sources. The city acknowledged the issues, noting that the water system operates as an enterprise fund and that a 10-year plan, funded by $15 million from the county, is in place for system-wide improvements, with initial work set to begin in September.