Company set to start construction on new water tank
DANVILLE – Aqua Illinois is ready to begin construction is on a new million-gallon water tank in the Denvale area soon.
Aqua Illinois officials said the new $1.5 million tank will improve water pressure in that area and provide additional storage for fire protection.
The new tank is part of $4.6 million in capital improvement projects in Vermilion and Champaign counties.
Work began a few weeks ago on a new 250,000-gallon water tank in Philo in Champaign County, said Tom Bruns, vice president of the Vermilion Division of Aqua Illinois Inc.
Philo’s new $700,000 water tank will replace the existing 50,000-gallon water tank.
“It’s way past its useful life,” Bruns said.
Construction on the Denvale-area tank should begin the week of May 11, he said.
Both tanks are expected to be completed in November.
Aqua Illinois filed a rate increase request with the Illinois Commerce Commission in January.
The average residential customer would see a 19 percent increase if the commission approves the request.
Bruns said the company expects a decision by November or December.
Money for the capital improvement projects would be covered by the rate increase, Bruns said.
Other improvement projects around Vermilion County include:
– Replacing 1,550 feet of a water main along South Logan Avenue between McVey and Bluff streets, including a bore under the Vermilion River. Work is scheduled to begin in May.
– Replacing 3,600 feet of a water main along U.S. 150 west of Danville. Work is scheduled to begin in June. There will be some lane restrictions.
– Replacing 1,350 feet of a water main along West Williams Street, west of Logan Avenue. Work is scheduled to begin in late summer or early fall.