Regional Water Supply Planning Studies in Illinois

Zhenxing Zhang, H. Vernon Knapp, Walton R. Kelly, Scott Meyer, George Roadcap, Daniel Abrams, Devin Mannix, Daniel Hadley

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

It is vital for Illinois to provide citizens and industries sustainable and affordable clean water in the present and for the future. As a state, it is import to understand future water demand, water supply, costs associated with providing and conveying water, and the costs and impacts of wastewater effluent. We11-designed state and regional water supply planning is a valuable tool to ensure sustainable water sources in the future for the entire state. Executive Order 2006-01 , signed by Governor Rod Blagojevich in Janua1y 2006, authorized the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to lead state and regional water supply planning activities. Since 2006, the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) has been working closely with IDNR to conduct technique analysis of water demand and water availability in Illinois. The entire state is divided into 10 water supply planning regions, with northeastern Illinois and east central Illinois prioritized. ISWS has completed water supply planning studies in northern Illinois, east central Illinois, and the Kaskaskia River basin. ISWS is currently working on the middle Illinois and northwest Illinois regions. The Kankakee River watershed was identified in the northeastern Illinois water supply planning repo1t as needing additional study due to significant expected development in the watershed. The watershed is currently being studied as a sub-region. For water supply planning studies in each region, groundwater models are developed to assess the impact of the past and future withdrawal on groundwater levels and determine the sustainable withdrawal rate. Groundwater monitoring is conducted to evaluate the impact of past groundwater withdrawals. The Illinois Streamflow Accounting Modelling was developed to analyze surface water availability under various climate conditions and the impact of surface water withdrawals and wastewater effluents. Water demand is analyzed and projected based on available population, water use, socioeconomic, and climatic data. Three different scenarios are developed to represent unce1tainty.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationThe Illinois River : A Watershed Partnership 15th Biennial Governor's Conference on the Managment of the Illinois River System
Volume15
StatePublished - 2015

Keywords

  • ISWS

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