Sterling’s Shepherd Premier Senior Living, an assisted living and memory care center, was evacuated Tuesday after a broken sprinkler head led to water coming out of the ceiling and caused hazards with the building’s wiring, light fixtures and water heaters.

Illinois American Water has filed a request with the state to increase its rates in order to pay for infrastructure improvements.

The City of Lockport is exploring options for the future possible transition to Lake Michigan water and what the costs may be.

The city had previously received a loan of $139.2 million, but it turned out to be far less that what the city needed to cover the project as prices grew due to contracting issues.

The city of Lockport reported a water main break Thursday morning that will impact all water customers.

Landowners and operators looking to enhance their property through conservation practices are encouraged to apply for the Partners for Conservation cost-share program.

The city of Rochelle and Rochelle Municipal Utilities held a ribboncutting ceremony for RMU’s new well house at Well 8 off Caron Road on Monday, Jan. 12.

The Friends of the Fox River is urging community members to join their efforts to prevent the U.S. EPA from ending protections for millions of acres of wetlands and miles of streams. It all comes down to what's defined as "Waters of the United States."

It was a busy year in Kendall County. Here is a rundown of some of the 2025's top stories.

Westmont's updated water distribution rates will go into effect starting late in January

At the Dec. 15 Plainfield Village Board meeting, trustees unanimously approved an ordinance increasing water and sewer fees. This is the first increase since Feb. 1, 2021.

The Illinois Municipal Electric Agency Board of Directors has announced that Doug Brown has been selected as the organization’s new president and CEO.

The joint project is funded by Yorkville, Oswego and Montgomery, with around $400 million in shared overall costs to extend water infrastructure from Naperville out to their respective cities.

Meetings are scheduled for Saturday and Tuesday to update sanitary district users on the transition to Joliet water and sewer.

The Crest Hill's City Council held a work session where options for short-term remediation of high levels of PFAS in the city's water wells were discussed, and one option was given the green light.

Aqua America, the company which owns area water supplier Aqua Illinois, has been sold. It supplies water in DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kankakee, Lake, McHenry, Ogle, Will counties, among others.

Aqua America, the company which owns area water supplier Aqua Illinois, has been sold.

One final piece to put the Kankakee Hydroelectric plant back in operation was put in place by the Kankakee City Council.

Yorkville passed an agreement for the developers of both the 1,034-acre Project Cardinal and the 502-acre Project Steel to split the costs for a $231,365 water planning study.

The Village of Manhattan has started construction on the U.S. Route 52 sanitary sewer and water main extension project, a key infrastructure upgrade

The City of Rochelle’s recently-renovated and repainted water tower near the Illinois Route 251 overpass was recently nominated for Tnemec Company’s nationwide 2025 Tank of the Year contest.

City staff have asked the Sycamore City Council to increase utility rates to cover higher costs, capital improvement projects and maintain financial stability for Sycamore’s water and sewer funds. Here's what that would mean for your bill:

Yorkville is seeking emergency replacement of a water main segment in the Wildwood subdivision after two pipe breaks eight days apart.

Virtually every day, the effects of the big lake to our east are brought home to us, even though for those of us out here in the Fox River Valley it is often only through news videos and weather maps on our television screens that we realize what’s happening.

Southbound traffic on North Joliet Street between West Webster Street and West Clinton Street will be closed beginning Monday morning, the city of Joliet said.

Hydrant flushing helps remove mineral buildup, brings fresh water to low-flow areas, and ensures hydrants are working properly, according to city officials.

Before finding out about the Lake Michigan water project cost increases, Yorkville approved water rate hikes for residents of around 20% for five years. City officials are currently “re-evaluating the plan” to determine if larger increases are necessary.

Volunteers can help maintain lakes and creeks at Will County forest preserves during a the National Public Lands Day observation on Saturday, Sept. 27.

The Illinois River is inches away from hitting the all-time record low in La Salle. Currently the river level in LaSalle is 10.5 feet. The lowest reading recorded at La Salle was 10.04 feet on Sept. 28, 2004. The Illinois Valley remains in a abnormally dry period according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Burn bans are in effect across most communities. More chances for rain are in the forecast next week.

In year 2 of the Kankakee River Valley Regatta race weekend, Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis said the event will most likely be a wash as revenues will cover expenses.

It found, of all things, drops to drink under the briny deeps — fresh water

Construction crews are excavating the downtown area in Yorkville this fall as the town pushes ahead on work for the $100 million Lake Michigan water sourcing project. The work is being scheduled later in the year to avoid affecting outdoor dining.

The program at the Joliet Slammers game will raise awareness of the importance of water conservation and provide cost-saving tips to reduce water waste in the home.

It looks like Yorkville is willing to bite the $700,000 bullet with their new 1.5 million-gallon standpipe water tower on the south side of town. The city fears possibly delaying the more than $100 million Lake Michigan water sourcing project if a new site was chosen.

The city announced full closure for a portion of Essington Road starting next week north of the Louis Joliet Mall business district.

Yorkville residents recently received 20% increases on their water bills for the $100 million Lake Michigan Water sourcing project. The project is coming in way over estimates.

Dr. Susan Buchanan of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health said lead found in paint used inside older homes remains the primary source of lead exposure for children

The property is located in unincorporated Kendall County and is zoned for agriculture use. At their Aug. 7 meeting, Oswego planning and zoning commissioners unanimously recommended recommended approval of the plans upon rezoning and annexation of the land by the village.

An extra $100K is needed to fully connect the Heartland Meadows subdivision to the new Bluestem Water Main project currently under construction in Yorkville.

On a sultry summer day in early July, four Will County forest preserve employees gingerly stepped into Spring Creek. The hope was to find a specific mussel species that has vanished from DuPage County but present in Will County.

The city wants Joliet residents to conserve water with rain barrels.

Ogle County residents and even livestock went to the water to try to beat the heat on Monday, July 28, 2025. Temperatures rose into the 90s and, coupled with high humidity, pushed the heat index into the 100s.

The Will County Emergency Management Agency issued a heat advisory as the heat index is expected to exceed 100 degrees beginning Wednesday. Cooling centers can found throughout Will County.

The levels detected were well below the maximum contaminant levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to Oswego village officials.

Hundreds of ZIP codes in Illinois are high-risk for lead exposure, according to a news release from IDPH

The free, family-friendly evening of food and music by the water takes place Saturday at the Forest Preserve District of Will County's Monee site.

The City of Lockport has announced construction in its downtown Historic District will begin this week to improve road and water systems.

The city announced that the Black Road-Ruby Street connection at 6 corners will be closed starting Tuesday for ongoing water main work.

Aqua Illinois, the region's provider of water, did not increase its water usage rate on July 1, as reported by The Daily Journal.

A prolific homebuilder wants to buy a chunk of land near Naperville from the DuPage Water Commission.