​Significant portions of the Chicago region – especially those dependent upon groundwater sources -- are encountering water supply and quality issues. The region’s comprehensive plan, ON TO 2050, anticipates these issues will grow unless additional steps are taken to coordinate and conserve the region’s shared water supply resources. The recently updated regional water demand forecast revealed that while overall water use is stable, projected demand will exceed available groundwater supplies in some areas. Yet with additional conservation and efficiency measures, the region can maintain its long-term drinking water supplies. 

The Metropolitan Planning Council, along with partners the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), the Illinois Section of the American Water Works Association and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, have created a peer-to-peer learning exchange and local technical assistance program — called the Drinking Water 1-2-3 Academy — to further assist communities in implementing best practices featured in MPC’s Drinking Water 1-2-3 guide.
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Part one of this program is a series of four half-day events across the region that feature education about key best practices that target important local issues for decision makers and the communities they serve. The audience for these events is elected officials, community leaders and top municipal staff, and speakers will include community leaders and water experts with an emphasis on peer-to-peer learning and example case studies from the region.