Illinois American Water Plans To Build New Elevated Water Tank on Market Street in Champaign

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Illinois American Water is planning to begin construction in late 2025 on a new water storage tank that will enhance the overall water delivery system in Champaign, as well as fire protection.

The new water tank will be located just north of I-72, and is being built to replace the existing, 78-year-old Market Street Elevated Tank located just south of I-72 near Market Place Mall. Ongoing inspections of the existing elevated water tank have indicated that it is reaching the end of its useful life. It was constructed in 1947.

“The new tank will nearly double the existing tank water storage volume of 1 million gallons to better support the Champaign community that has grown and expanded greatly over the past 80 years,” said Luke Esteppe, Director of Operations, Illinois American Water.

Construction is expected to start on the new water tank later this year with completion expected in late 2026. The project is expected to cost approximately $4.5 million.

This construction project is one of several large investments made by Illinois American Water in the past three years to help support safe, clean, reliable water in its Champaign service area. The following are two completed projects at the company’s Champaign water treatment plant, totaling more than $13 million:

Lime Improvements:

This $9.62 million project consisted of the construction of a new lime storage and batch delivery system at the Mattis Water Treatment Plant to replace 25-year-old equipment that had reached its end of life and experienced reliability issues. The project consolidated the chemical facilities on the water plant’s site to improve operational efficiencies and remove the original facility chemical building that was built with the original plant during the 1960s. River City Construction of Peoria was the contractor. Construction started in 2020, and the improvements were completed in early 2022.

Backwash Recycle Pump Station Improvements:

This $3.47 million project renovated several key underground vaults to provide safer and easier access to the equipment to allow for better maintenance and control over the pumps and valves associated with the facility recycle system. The improvements increase facility reliability and enhance operational flexibility. River City Construction of Peoria performed the work. Construction started in late 2022, and the improvements were completed in early 2024.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About Illinois American Water

Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.3 million people. American Water also operates a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.