The City of Joliet has begun the first phase of a long-awaited water main replacement project in the Preston Heights area, marking the first major infrastructure upgrade since the city assumed ownership of the former Southeast Joliet Sanitary District (SEJSD) water and sewer system earlier this year.
The project will replace aging water mains throughout the former SEJSD service area, with the goal of improving water system reliability for more than 700 households in Preston Heights and surrounding areas of unincorporated Joliet Township.
For many Preston Heights residents, the investment addresses an issue that has affected the community for years. Residents have experienced multiple water main breaks that have disrupted water service, highlighting the need for improvements to the aging infrastructure.
According to the City of Joliet, the first phase of construction will focus on replacing deteriorating water mains to reduce the risk of future water main breaks and service interruptions.
Residents should expect temporary traffic impacts and parking restrictions in active construction zones as work progresses. The city said roadway closures and traffic updates will be announced throughout construction.
“When the City agreed to take over this system, we made a commitment to residents that we would invest in its future,” said Allison Swisher, director of Public Utilities for the City of Joliet. “This project delivers on that commitment by replacing aging infrastructure and improving the reliability of water service for the families who depend on it every day.”
The project is part of a broader infrastructure improvement program funded through a partnership between the City of Joliet, Will County, and state and federal funding sources.
Design work for the second phase of the water main replacement project is expected to begin in early August, allowing additional improvements to move forward without delay.
“Ensuring the residents of Preston Heights have access to reliable and safe water infrastructure has been a top priority,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. “This project is a massive undertaking to replace a decades-old system, and I appreciate the community’s patience as we work with the City of Joliet on this long-needed improvement.”
The City of Joliet officially assumed ownership, operation and maintenance of the former SEJSD water system in February 2026 after the district determined it could no longer operate the system in a fiscally responsible manner or fund the major infrastructure improvements needed to provide long-term, reliable drinking water service. The district also decided against selling the system to a private operator.
Since taking over the system, city officials said they have accelerated the design, engineering and permitting process to begin construction as quickly as possible. The overall capital improvement plan is supported by $15.7 million in funding committed by Will County, along with additional state, federal and grant funding opportunities.
State Rep. Larry Walsh Jr. called the project an investment in essential public infrastructure.
“Government exists to make sure that lights turn on and water flows,” Walsh said. “The work being done by the City of Joliet and Will County is an investment that will make sure those core parts of our lives will be there for generations to come.”
Residents seeking additional information about the former Southeast Joliet Sanitary District’s transition to Joliet’s water system or the ongoing construction project can visit the City’s website or contact the Public Utilities Department at (815) 724-4220.
