SULLIVAN, Ill. (WAND) — Many of us don't consider how valuable water is until it's limited. For months, people in Sullivan have dealt with water restrictions.
"What we've done is we use paper products for dishes instead of real dishes. And so, we're not running the dishwasher every night or whatever. And by doing that, we've cut our consumption by 200 gallons a month," said Chuck Woodworth, commissioner of public health and safety.
Now, city leaders are looking to invest nearly half a million dollars to drill a new line to connect to the water plant.
"When the well is in production, it will be adding more raw water coming into the treatment plant so we can keep up with the demand that people use," Woodworth said.
For Sullivan, the goal is simple: More water and more reliability.
The new well won't solve the city's water issues overnight, but city leaders say once it's developed, it could give the system another source to depend on.
"I was hoping it would be online now, but the well driller had some other issues come up, and he's not been able to come back and finish doing what he needs to do on his part to be able to make it produce water," Woodworth said.
As water restrictions remain in place, people are being asked to continue conserving water.
City leaders say there is a possibility the new well won't produce the amount of water needed.
"There is a possibility. I hope not, because it depends on how much money we have," Woodworth said.
The aquifer in Sullivan is the city's main water source. City officials hope to reduce some water restrictions within the next month.
Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
