In the summer of 2006, planning was initiated for a project to improve treatment and storage capacity of the water system.  The existing storage tank was a 40,000- gallon lattice leg, riveted steel tank in fair condition but requiring a considerable amount of work, and with a volume considerably smaller than what was needed to fulfill the recommended daily storage capacity for the Village.

The Village has two shallow water supply wells.  Well #4, located on Second Street, has a capacity of approximately 200 gallons per minute and had been previously equipped with a horizontal pressure filter to treat the supply for iron and arsenic.  The other well, #3, located on Mugekewis Street, has a capacity of approximately 100 gallons per minute. Since the pollution control board lowered the maximum contaminant level for arsenic, operation of this well became limited to emergency use only.

The Village commissioned the preparation of plans and specifications for a new water tower, transmission main and treatment facilities for well #3.  The Village received bids for and constructed 1850 feet of 6” diameter water main to connect the larger sized main on Second Street with the proposed new tower site. Generously donated to the Village by Kenneth Alleman of Tonica Nurseries, this property is located west of and adjacent to the well #3 site. The Village then applied for and received a construction grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Development in the amount of $350,000.  This money along with a bond issue for the remainder of the funds allowed for the construction of the rest of the project.

Caldwell Tanks of Louisville, KY submitted the low bid for the tank construction, while D.J. Sickley Construction of Peru, IL submitted the low bid for the water treatment plant construction.  The elevated water tank is a 150,000- gallon pedesphere tank with an overflow set at 117.6 feet above ground.  The new tower is equipped with check valves to better circulate water in the tower allowing for consistently better water quality.  Putnam County Painting of Mark, IL performed the job of painting the structure. The tank is coated on the inside with an epoxy system and on the outside with an epoxy urethane system. Final cost of the new water tower came to $578,484.40.

The water treatment facilities at well #3 consist of two vertical pressure filters purchased from the LaSalle County Nursing Home when they upgraded their water plant.  This equipment was in excellent condition, having only been in service a short time.  The plant also contains an aerator to oxidize iron, a holding tank, a high service pump, chemical feed equipment, a standby generator, and new control equipment.  The standby generator now allows operation of the water system during power outages, and the new control equipment allows the operation of both wells from a single location both controlled by the elevation of water in the new tower.  The final cost of water plant and controls was approximately $305,700.  For a final project cost of approximately $884,184.40.

The Color and Font scheme was designed by Jessica Schneider as chosen from several designs by the Village Board. The color represents our Tonica Braves Grade School colors. The lettering was done by local artist Mick Burcar.