The Water

 

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

Chicagwa comes from Lake Michigan, the only great lake located fully within the United States, whose 1,184 cubic miles represent 4% of the world’s unfrozen surface freshwater. What we’re saying is, it’s a pretty darn big lake.

 

COOL. HOW DO YOU GET IT OUT OF THE LAKE?

Good question. We have cribs that collect the water from 20-30 feet below the lake’s surface.

 

WAIT, CRIBS? YOU MEAN LIKE BABY CRIBS?

No, intake cribs. They’re structures that sit about 2 miles off from the shoreline away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We call them cribs ‘cause they surround and protect the intake area like a baby. And we love our water here like it’s our baby.

 

OH. OK. THEN WHAT HAPPENS?

The cribs suck the lake water down, sending it 168 feet downwards into a tunnel system beneath the bedrock.

 

IT SUCKS IT DOWN LIKE A STRAW?

Yes, exactly. Like a giant straw.

 

WHOA. AND THEN WE DRINK IT?

No, then it travels to two state-of-the-art purification plants right along our lakeshore, one of which happens to be the largest in the entire world (the other’s the 8th largest in case you were wondering), where it goes through a rigorous 10-step purification process.

 

DANG. TEN WHOLE STEPS?

Yeah. Although technically the whole crib intake thingy was the first step.

 

AND NOW I CAN DRINK IT?

Well, actually eight hours later, cause again, it’s a pretty rigorous process to purify it so it’s clean and safe.

 

OH, SO AFTER THE EIGHT HOURS I CAN DRINK IT?

Yes. You and 5.3 million other people in and around Chicago. Although its gotta travel to your faucets or whatever.

 

AND IT’S GOOD?

Darn straight it’s good. It’s some of the cleanest and safest in the world, meeting and exceeding all water standards.

 
 

Can I learn more about all this water stuff?

Sure. You’re very inquisitive. Click here to learn more about the 10 step process and other things, like how the city's working to ensure every home and business can have access to safe, clean drinking water. For more information about what our city's doing to protect residents against lead exposure, click here.