Lake Evergreen

As the City of Bloomington considers how to get more water in the future, planners could look to the city of Joliet for an example. One of the options under study by Bloomington would be for the city to build a pipeline to the Illinois River.

The City of Bloomington is engaged in a significant planning effort to look for ways to expand its drinking water supply. Water director Brett Lueschen said the city will likely need more water in the future.

The City of Bloomington doesn't know what's happening to up to 3 million gallons of water per day — and it could be more during the summer. An aging treatment and distribution system is a root cause.

Water conservation measures by Bloomington residents are still voluntary for now. Mayor Dan Brady said if the levels in the reservoir fall another two feet, they might not stay optional.

For the first 100 years of Bloomington history, water was scarce. In 1929, the formation of Lake Bloomington began after periods of drought, contamination and scarcity of safe drinking water.

The City of Bloomington is asking residents and businesses to reduce their water use, as water levels at lakes Bloomington and Evergreen have dropped more than 8 feet below adequate levels. Much of McLean County, including Bloomington-Normal, is in a severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The city council approved a separate measure supporting efforts to improve water department infrastructure, but did not approve algae treatment at Lake Bloomington.

Waterfowl repeatedly get caught in fishing line and hooks across the nation and at Miller Park Lake in Bloomington, according to local experts.

A study done for the City of Bloomington has estimated the cost to dredge Lake Bloomington at more than $35 million.

The City of Bloomington will temporarily switch its water source from Evergreen Lake to Lake Bloomington this week while treating Evergreen Lake for algae.