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Preparing northeastern Illinois’ water systems for climate change

As drought incidents rise and the climate continues to change, resilience for water utilities becomes increasingly important. To help communities understand these challenges and plan for the future, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and Illinois Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) hosted a Shared Waters, Shared Future workshop focused on climate and drought preparedness. The workshop explores the available data sets, programs, and planning resources that support climate and drought preparedness for communities and water suppliers in northeastern Illinois.

Understanding drought and climate conditions through data and monitoring

Molly Woloszyn, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and University of Colorado scientist, provides an overview of drought; its social, economic, and environmental consequences; and the resources available to monitor drought incidence. She emphasizes that drought can look different in urban and rural areas, and that there are different types:

• Meteorological drought: dry weather
• Agricultural drought: crops are impacted by dry weather
• Hydrological drought: water supplies — including groundwater, surface water, and stream flow — are impacted
• Flash drought: rapid intensification in drought conditions

Woloszyn points out programs such as drought.gov and the U.S. Drought Monitor which highlight efforts in the shift from reactivity to proactivity. Additionally, she emphasizes the significance of community involvement and partnership through Condition Monitoring Observer Reports and the Drought Early Warning System.

Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford highlights that while historical weather station data is valuable, communities must also rely on interpolated data sets and climate projections to understand evolving conditions. Gridded datasets, like NOAA’s nClimGrid, provide more complete spatial coverage than weather stations alone by estimating conditions between observation sites. Platforms such as Climate Engine can be used to access and visualize both historical climate data and future climate projections.

Ford explains that while historical weather observations are essential for understanding historical climate, communities can’t assume future conditions will mirror the past. Climate projection models provide a range of plausible future scenarios that can help communities prepare for changing conditions. Ford also emphasizes that climate change is experienced locally, making locally relevant data and planning essential for effective adaptation.

Finally, Scott Kuykendall, water resources specialist for McHenry County, presents an overview of the county’s groundwater resources and the tools used to monitor them. Because McHenry County relies entirely on groundwater for its public water supply, understanding aquifer conditions is critical for long-term water sustainability. Kuykendall cautions that this resource could become burdened by over-consumption, pollution, flooding, land-use changes, and drought. He emphasizes the importance of long-term monitoring — through tools such as the U.S. Geological Survey groundwater monitoring network, the Illinois State Water Survey Groundwater Well Map, and the McHenry County 3D mapping system — to support informed water management decisions.

Resources to support preparedness for climate change and drought

Rachel Duncan,engineer at Carollo Engineers, introduces M71 Climate Action Plans — Adaptive Management Strategies for Utilities. This manual presents a roadmap for water suppliers developing climate action plans. She shares a seven-step planning process, from hazard characterization to implementation, and emphasizes the importance of adaptive management. Duncan also encourages water utilities to consider multiple future climate scenarios, recognizing the likelihood that future conditions will diverge from historical patterns.

Lisa Maddaus,water resources engineer at Maddaus Water Management, summarizes the M60 Drought Preparedness and Response framework. She covers steps including: forming a response team, projecting supply and demand, establishing drought response thresholds, and developing staged water demand reduction programs. Maddaus also highlights the significance of appropriate communication with the public during these staged reduction programs.

Federal technical assistance for local water utilities

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) Strengthening Water Infrastructure for Tomorrow (SWIFT) program helps utilities prepare for natural hazard threats. Cary McElhinney, USEPA source water protection coordinator, summarizes the technical assistance SWIFT offers: natural hazard data analysis and scenario design, infrastructure risk assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and funding identification.

Grant Wollert, director of operations at Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency, explains how the SWIFT program benefits his organization. As the agency pulls water from Lake Michigan, decreasing water levels and rising lake temperatures present concerns for utility supply and operation. The SWIFT program uses historical data to predict utility demand and corresponding water level. Additionally, the program provides alternative sources for facility cooling to address the issue of increased water temperatures.

Putting it all together

Communities and utilities can’t rely on just one tool or program to prepare for climate and drought threats. Instead, they can use accurate monitoring data, long-term adaptive plans, and federal and state assistance programs to create a more resilient system. Water utilities in northeastern Illinois should evaluate the effect of climate change and drought on their capacity to deliver services, and seek out a variety of resources that will allow them to effectively prepare for the future.

Looking ahead

How can Illinois support future growth while protecting its groundwater resources? Explore how other states evaluate high-capacity wells and what lessons they may offer for Illinois in the next Shared Waters, Shared Future workshop, Modernizing Illinois’ well impact review process.

Missed this workshop? Find the recording and additional resources on the Shared Waters, Shared Future webpage.