Rochelle celebrates completion of water tower with $5 million investment

Posted 5/29/17

Rochelle officials along with the Howard Hayes family celebrated the completion of the newest water tower Friday.

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Rochelle celebrates completion of water tower with $5 million investment

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ROCHELLE – Rochelle officials along with the Howard Hayes family celebrated the completion of the newest water tower Friday.  The project, with a total cost of nearly $5 million includes a 750,000 gallon elevated storage tank, well house, pump, and connecting water main.  The new tower also includes the city’s new branding with the rustic red and gold logo.
The land on which the newest water tower now resides has been in the Hayes Family of the Rochelle area for over 60 years.

“The farming operation was a family affair that extended to sons and grandsons who raised hay, bailed it and sold to Brookfield Zoo as feed for the elephants.” said Judy Connolly, daughter of the late Howard Hayes.     
The Master Plan for the City of Rochelle water system includes, as a priority, the construction of a well in the southeast quadrant of the city due to the continued industrial growth in this area. The industrial corridor on the south side of town has increased demand for water from 1.9 million gallons per day in 2004 to 3.0 million gallons per day in 2014.
In 2012 the mayor and council approved engineering agreements to facilitate the construction of this well. Since that time the city has applied for an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) revolving loan, received approval of the project plan from the IEPA, purchased land for the well site and drilled the well.
“The need for additional capacity in our water system is a good thing for Rochelle.  We’re growing steadily and the addition of our newest water tower is proof of that growth,” said Rochelle Mayor Chet Olson.