Construction is underway for Phase 1 of the North-South System Water and Sewer Interconnect in the Village of Fox Lake, IL.  This $9.1 Million project will connect separate North and South drinking water and wastewater systems into one system.  The North-South Water and Wastewater Interconnect Project will be constructed over two phases.  The project includes approximately 200 LF of 24” gravity sewer, 730 LF of 8” gravity sewer, 2,460 LF of 16” force main and 3,100 LF of 12” force main, along with two new 1400 gpm lift stations and the rehabilitation of the Village’s Main Lift Station. Phase 1 will also include construction of roughly 6,570 LF of water main ranging in size from 6” to 20”, hydrants and valves.  Construction of the interconnecting pipelines includes tunneling operations at two State Route 12 and Metra railroad undercrossings, and two long directional drilling operations beneath the Nippersink and Pistakee Lake channels.

The interconnect will allow the surplus drinking water supply in the South System to support the North System.  The existing Tall Oaks WWTP in the North System has reached the end of its service life.  Interconnect of the two sewer systems will create a centralized wastewater collection and treatment system at the existing Northwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility and allow the Tall Oaks WWTP to be retired.

Fox Lake will finance the project costs with loans from both the Water Pollution Control and Public Water Supply loan programs administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).  The Village qualifies for and has secured $2.3 Million in principal forgiveness which will reduce the size of the loan, thus reducing annual principal and interest payments.