TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 20, 2025
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
Title
Authority to issue a 5-year permit to the Illinois State Water Survey for continued access to the District’s monitoring well located at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant, 400 E. 130th Street, Chicago, Illinois. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00
Body
Dear Sir:
On December 17, 2020, the Board of Commissioners issued a 5-year permit to the Illinois State Water Survey (“ISWS”), a division of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois, for access to a monitoring well located at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant (“WRP”). ISWS has been monitoring the well since 1968. The permit, as extended, expires May 30, 2026.
ISWS has requested a new 5-year permit. This well is part of a larger network in the Chicagoland region monitoring aquifer levels in the deep sandstone aquifer system. This deep sandstone monitoring network is critical for long-term planning of groundwater resources in northeast Illinois and to assess changes to the deep bedrock system. This network reports real-time water level measurements that are available on the ISWS website.
The technical departments have reviewed this request and have no objections to ISWS’ access to the monitoring well at the Calumet WRP for this purpose. A nominal fee of $10.00 is recommended as is customary for governmental entities using District property for a public purpose.
It is requested that the Acting Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and approve the issuance of a 5-year permit to the Illinois State Water Survey for continued access to the District’s monitoring well located at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant, 400 E. 130th Street, Chicago, Illinois. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00.
It is further requested that the Acting Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said permit after same is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:BJD:PJK:vp
Recommended, John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for November 20, 2025
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