Communities in Cook and DuPage counties get most of their water from Lake Michigan, while Kane, McHenry, Kendall, Will and western Lake counties get theirs from groundwater. Many of the communities that use groundwater draw at least partially from sandstone aquifers.
Less than 50 miles away from one of the largest freshwater systems on Earth, groundwater is running out. Joliet is the latest city to give up on the deep aquifers, voting last month — in a decision officials called the most significant in the town’s history — to tap into Lake Michigan water provided by Chicago.
More on water supply below:
* Just 50 miles from Lake Michigan, groundwater is running out, leaving Illinois towns with a tough choice to make
* More Illinois residents are turning to Lake Michigan for their drinking water. Climate change could add volatility to the supply.
Where Chicago-area water comes from
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- Sandstone aquifer
- Partially on the sandstone aquifer
- Shallow Bedrock/Glacial aquifers
- Lake Michigan
- Fox River
- Kankakee River
- Lake Michigan and groundwater
- Fox River water and groundwater
- No data
- Other
Note: Data from 2014, some communities may be out of date.
Source: Illinois State Water Survey