New, $7.5 million reservoir expands water reliability, capacity in Vernon Hills
A $7.5 million investment to meet peak demand and provide water during emergencies for residents and businesses in the Vernon Hills area is up and running.
After nearly two years of construction, Lake County officials last week celebrated the completion of the White Deer Run Reservoir at 240 W. Gregg’s Parkway, near the White Deer Run golf course in Vernon Hills.
The reservoir holds 2 million gallons and is designed to increase reliability of the Vernon Hills water system, which serves about 33,000 residents and businesses in the village, unincorporated Libertyville Township, Knollwood, Rondout, Mettawa and a portion of Long Grove.
Those areas receive Lake Michigan water through a system operated by Lake County and sourced through the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency. The Vernon Hills system averages about 2.94 million gallons a day or about 1.1 billion gallons annually.
The county has been seeking a location to build a reservoir in Vernon Hills since 2017, to ensure water is available during periods of high demand, emergencies or during disruptions due to equipment failure.
Initially, a site near Carriage Green Park on the north side of Route 45 was chosen, but that didn’t sit well with residents or the Vernon Hills Park District, who said it was a poor location for a reservoir.
The village then found an open spot south of the White Deer Run driving range. The area was used decades ago by Mundelein as a secondary waste treatment plant, but was decommissioned in 1997 and abandoned.
The county bought the 5.5-acre site from Mundelein in 2021 for $425,000.
The reservoir is 45-feet high inside and 100 feet in diameter. Construction began in the summer of 2023.
The project was funded through Lake County public works’ capital improvement program, which is supported by user fees rather property taxes, according to the county.
That program is used to replace pipes older than 70 years, expand storage and connect more communities to Lake Michigan water, county officials say.