Joliet begins Southeast water-main replacement project

Joliet has begun replacing water mains in the former Southeast Joliet Sanitary District system, advancing infrastructure work after the city took over the system earlier this year.

In a July 21, 2026, project update, the City of Joliet said construction began in July. The city also said design engineering for Phase II was anticipated to begin in early August 2026.

Work follows city takeover

Joliet assumed ownership, operation and maintenance of the former Southeast Joliet Sanitary District water system in February 2026. The water-main replacement project addresses aging infrastructure within that system and places the work within the city’s continuing water-infrastructure program.

The city described the next engineering phase as intended to advance future infrastructure improvements. That sequence means construction is underway while design work for a subsequent phase is being prepared.

Part of broader water investment

The project comes as Joliet plans broader spending on its water system. A 2026 budget notice identifies major water-system investments, including Lake Michigan water infrastructure and related capital spending.

The July project update does not identify the total cost of the water-main replacement work or the number of households affected. It also does not set a final completion date for Phase II. The next stated milestone is the anticipated start of Phase II design engineering in early August.