City Of Harvey Receives Much Needed Water Infrastructure Improvements

City Of Harvey Receives Much Needed Water Infrastructure Improvements

By Tia Carol Jones

Recently, the city of Harvey, along with Cook County elected officials, announced the completion of an emergency water supply main project, located at 129th and Halsted. According to the Bureau of Asset management, replacing the water main ensures that the city of Harvey has reliable water service.

The $1.7 million water main replacement is part of a larger $11.5 million investment in water infrastructure projects in municipalities in the South and West Suburbs, as part of Build Up Cook. Blue Island, Broadview, Burnham, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Chicago Heights, Cicero, Dixmoor, Ford Heights, Hometown, Lynwood, Markham, Phoenix, Posen, Robbins, Sauk Village, South Chicago Heights and Stickney also have had or will have water infrastructure projects. Those projects include hydrant replacements, valve replacements, watermain repairs and replacements, and pump station renovations/pump replacements, and will be completed by the end of 2026.

“Drinking water is one of our most basic needs as human beings to support public health. In Illinois, most drinking water utilities are owned and managed by municipalities. In Cook County, most municipalities buy their water directly from the City of Chicago or from a neighboring municipality which purchases water directly from Chicago,” the Bureau of Asset Management said, adding that Harvey purchases its water from Chicago and sells it to Posen, Dixmoor and Hazel Crest. “It is critical for all drinking water utilities to have at least two supply mains—which ensures a viable backup if the primary supply main breaks. Replacing this redundant water supply main means that these communities, residents, and institutions have a safer, more resilient water supply.”

Cook County committed $30 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to address critical infrastructure needs in under-resourced suburban municipalities. The funds are administered by the Bureau of Asset Management. According to the Bureau of Asset Management, the city of Harvey made a direct request for emergency support to replace the redundant water main supply, and the request aligned with the mission of Build Up Cook.

“Upon being appointed to the office of Commissioner, I intentionally engaged with the Planning Divisions of Cook County to ensure that the infrastructure needs of the 5th District, including water, were considered a high priority. Harvey residents deserve clean drinking water.  Clean water is not only a fundamental right but also a mandate for daily functioning. I want to thank President Preckwinkle and her administration for having the foresight to create the Buildup Cook Program and for working with my office.  Together, we are truly making the water infrastructure of Harvey and the surrounding communities a consistent discussion. I'm grateful to the citizens who have called my office over the past few days to express their appreciation,” Cook County Commissioner Kisha McCaskill 5th District) said in a statement.

For more information about the city of Harvey, visit www.cityofharveyil.gov. For more information about the Build Up Cook program, visit https://arpa.cookcountyil.gov/build-up-cook.

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