Public Infrastructure

Water

Story of Chicago Is Struggle with Water

• Chicago portage• Illinois & Michigan Canal• Raising the streets• Quest for healthy water• Reversing the river• Ports & navigation• Sewage treatment &

disposal• Tunnel And Reservoir

Program

Chicago Portage

Illinois & Michigan Canal

Raising the Streets

Quest for Healthful Water

Reversing the River

Reversing the River

Ports & Navigation

Sewage Treatment & Disposal

Tunnel & Reservoir

Cook County

Thornton Reservoir

McCook Reservoir

O’Hare Reservoir

Water Infrastructure

• Potable water• Sewers & treatment• Flood control• Irrigation• Hydropower• Ports• Navigable waterways• Shoreline erosion

protection• Recreation/esthetic

Fun Water Facts• The average person in the United

States uses 80 to 100 gallons of water each day• During medieval times a person used

only 5 gallons per day.

• How much water does it take?• 2 gallons to brush your teeth• 2 to 7 gallons to flush a toilet• 25 to 50 gallons to take a shower

Water Cycle

Potable Water

Sewers• Collection

• Sanitary• Storm• Combined

Sewage Treatment

Flood Control –Storm Sewers

Flood Control -Dams

Flood Control - Levees

Irrigation• Water collection &

storage• Dams & impoundments

• Water distribution

Hydropower• Dams &

impoundments• Power generation• Linkages to power

grid

Ports

• Docks & wharves

• Specialized cargo handling facilities

• Passengers• Pleasure

boats• Navigation

Navigable Waterways• Improved rivers

• Dredging• Navigation aids

• Canals• Locks• Dams

Shoreline Erosion Protection

• Rivers• Lakes• Oceans

• Holland• Venice

Recreation/Esthetic

• Parks & beaches• Fountains• Boating

Chicago Locks• Control flow

of Lake Michigan water into Chicago River

• Allow navigation to and from Lake