The year was 1912.  Evanston had been pumping untreated water to area homes and businesses since 1874.  However, at times, the quality of water left something to be desired.  During the winter of 1911-1912, a severe epidemic of typhoid fever was contained only by the emergency use of a primitive disinfectant, chloride of lime.  After a spirited political discourse, it was decided to build a filtration plant.  Construction began in 1913, and the plant went online in 1914.  The quality of life in Evanston was forever changed….
 

100-Year Celebration
The year 2014 marked 100 years of clean, safe, and reliable drinking water in Evanston.  The City held an open house at the water treatment plant on July 26, 2014, to mark the 100-year anniversary of the completion of the City's first full-scale water treatment plant.  Over 150 Evanston residents attended to commemorate this achievement and celebrate all that safe drinking water makes possible in our society.  Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl gave an address, and remarks were also made by representatives from the engineering firm that designed the original water treatment plant over 100 years ago.

Community members viewing historical displays at the July 2014 open house.

Mayor Tisdahl addresses the crowd at the July 2014 open house.

100 Years of Clean, Safe Water
This brief history of Evanston's water system outlines how the original 1874 pumping station was transformed over the years to the City's current water treatment facility. 

1912 Report of Special Committee of City Council
City residents and leaders who championed the ultimate construction of Evanston's 1914 Filtration Plant began their campaign by forming a "Water Committee of the Council".  The committee was charged to investigate options to end the typhoid and cholera epidemics that had plagued Evanston for so many years.  The committee, along with its consulting engineers, prepared a detailed report on options for reducing waterborne disease, ultimately recommending construction of a water filtration plant.

1914 News Article on Startup of Filtration Plant
This July 1914 news article is an example of community outreach aimed at educating residents on the safety of the water due to the filtration plant.  It had been common to boil water before consumption due to the prevalence of waterborne disease, and it took some time for people to get used to the fact that their water was now safe to drink at all times (in addition to looking and tasting much better).

1915 Journal AWWA Article on Filtration Plant
This is journal article on the design and construction of Evanston's 1914 Filtration Plant is an interesting glimpse into the water works design standards and construction methods that were considered state-of-the-art 100 years ago.