Dixmoor, Illinois completes water main project amid ongoing water issues

Dixmoor, Illinois, recently celebrated the completion of a $2 million water main project aimed at addressing long-standing water issues affecting its residents. The project involved replacing an existing 8-inch water main with nearly 4,000 feet of new 12-inch main, which is expected to reduce water loss and improve water pressure, particularly in the northern part of the village. This initiative was supported by local leaders, including Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and was seen as a necessary step for the community's approximately 4,000 residents. Despite the completion of this project, the village continues to face significant water infrastructure challenges. In just a week and a half, Dixmoor has experienced 20 water main breaks, highlighting the ongoing struggles with its aging water system. Village President Fitzgerald Roberts expressed the emotional toll these issues have taken on the community, emphasizing the urgent need for further investment in infrastructure. Roberts estimates that an additional $50 to $60 million is required to adequately address the village's water main problems, indicating that the current project is only a starting point. The Cook County Bureau of Asset Management is still assessing the total repair costs needed not only in Dixmoor but also across other south suburban areas, where similar water infrastructure issues persist. The situation in Dixmoor reflects a broader crisis affecting underrepresented communities in Cook County, with the total need for repairs estimated to be in the billions. The village's efforts to bring attention to these issues have garnered support from county and federal officials, but much work remains to be done to ensure reliable water service for its residents.