JOLIET, Illinois — The City of Joliet, Illinois, has contracted Burns & McDonnell to provide independent review and assessment of key documents and features of the Alternative Water Source Program (AWSP). Joliet has taken aggressive action to find an alternative water supply since 2015, when a groundwater model for regional sandstone aquifers — compiled by the Illinois State Water Survey — determined that the region would need to find a new water source by 2030.

The city is partnering with five other regional communities (Channahon, Crest Hill, Minooka, Romeoville, and Shorewood) to form the Grand Prairie Water Commission (GPWC) that will deliver the program and operate the water utility. Burns & McDonnell will serve as an extension of the city’s staff to support the transparency that Joliet and the GPWC is committed to, drive program performance, provide technical excellence and support delivery of the Program.

Working with Joliet, the commission members and the existing program team, Burns & McDonnell employee-owners will support reporting of program data to the city and commission’s governing boards and committees through identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) that can be tracked, reported, and evaluated at the project and program levels. These KPIs are essential to facilitate transparency and maximize Joliet’s and the GPWC’s decision-making capabilities.

“Burns & McDonnell is excited to partner with the City of Joliet and the regional water commission members to provide essential services that will bring a new source of drinking water to the region,” says Patrick Clifford, regional water manager for Burns & McDonnell. “We are committed to supporting efforts to maximize transparency and cost savings on this program.”

Additionally, the team will review and analyze the project budget and schedule for completeness and assist with identifying risk assignment and mitigation opportunities. To maximize value for the commission members, the team will provide independent review of design packages to identify opportunities for value engineering on the program.

This is another major project for the Burns & McDonnell water team in the upper Midwest. The team is currently providing services on water projects in the Great Lakes region with the Village of Homewood, Illinois, the Northwest Municipal Joint Action Water Agency in the northwestern suburbs of Chicago, and Great Lakes Water Authority in the Detroit metropolitan area.

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of over 10,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, and more to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 60 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. Learn how we are designed to build.