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Community of LeRoy
Water
McLean County, Illinois

(Transcribed by: Teri Moncelle Colglazier)

In 1888 a well was drilled on the southeast corner of LeRoy's square and a windmill with a 12-foot wheel was erected to pump water in a holding tank with a capacity of 50 barrels. This apparently was the starting of the first city water system as no other mention has been made on water supply except a 40-foot well with iron pump in the city square. A special meeting was called in June, 1889 regarding building waterworks for city. However, two weeks later a motion was made and passed to drop the matter. Due to the fact that many people were hauling water from the tank at the town well an ordinance was passed in August, 1891 prohibiting this and notices were posted at the well to this effect. The matter of a waterworks system was again brought up in August, 1892 when a motion was made and carried to hold a special election to issue $7000 in bonds to erect a waterworks for LeRoy. The election results were as follows: 170 votes for the bond issue and 49 against. On Sept. 12, 1892 specifications were drawn up for the waterworks, the tank specification as follows: a brick tower 14 feet at the base thickness of wall at top of ground 2 feet 9 inches and at top of tower 60 feet from ground to be 2 feet 3 inches thick. The street tank was 42 feet high and 12 feet across with tank pressure on main line to be 49 pounds. The well was to be 8 inches in diameter. A power house was to be built of brick and the city to lay about four blocks of water mains. On advertising for bids the contract was awarded to R. R. McGregor and Company at a cost of $7100. However, the plans were changed from a brick to a steel tower. This is the present standpipe which has served LeRoy since the original waterworks was built. The bonds were sold to the Municipal Investment Company of Chicago at an interest rate of 5%, first bond to become due on April 1, 1894. Alderman A. J. Keenan made a trip to Chicago on the business pertaining to the sale of bonds. His expenses for the trip was $10.61 which the city paid. At a special meeting of the council on Saturday, July 1, 1893 acceptance of completed water tower was made and the contractor was paid in full. Also an ordinance was passed setting certain water rates as follows: bars and drinking saloons, restaurants and eating houses $8 per annum. On July 6. 1893 an ordinance was passed prohibiting climbing on the standpipe. At a meeting of the council September 5, 1893, there being no further use for the tank and windmill on city square, a committee was appointed to dispose of pumps and windmill. Charles Wallace was hired to manage the new waterworks at a salary of $30 per month and was to start work on Wed.. Sept 10. 1893. At a meeting November 3. 1893 an ordinance was passed leasing the waterworks building to the Electric Light and Heating Company The lease was for a term of 15 years, the city to pay $300 per year for 5 years and the Light Company to do all of the pumping of water and to keep the plant in working order at its expense. At the end of 5 years an equalization committee was to determine the amount the city would pay for the next 5 years and so on until end of franchise. The contract was signed by both parties at a special meeting November 4, 1893. On June 11, 1894 an agreement was made with LC.R.R. to furnish it water for $22.50 per month and the Big Four R.R. $35 per month. On June 13, 1894 a motion was made and carried to lay a six-inch water main from the corner at Odd Fellows Hall west to Big Four depot and an extension be laid from the corner of White and Center Street north to the I.C. depot. In early 1906 it was felt by the mayor and council the city needed a gasoline engine of its own to pump city water in case of emergency. The city advertised for bids and on February 9, 1906 the bid of the Buckeye Engine Company of Joliet, Illinois was accepted. The engine was two Cylinder 30 H.P. The purchase price was $1180. This was the first time the city owned any power equipment for water pumping. In September, 1907 permission was given to put in a two-inch water line to swimming pool in "Boys' Hall" located in M.E. Church. In the late teens three new wells were drilled in the northwest part of the city. This facility has served LeRoy well for some 50 years. However, the present water plant has served its time. Work is now in progress in building a new modern treatment plant and 250,000-gallon water tank on the city parking lot near the old tower. LeRoy was one of the few cities to put in a water softener system. This was done in the early 1940s. LeRoy is known to have one of the best water supplies in the state. LeRoy also was one of the first cities in the state to have fluoridation and chlorine treated water. The city council voted for fluoridation in 1952 but it was almost a year later on January 19, 1953 that Oliver Godden, superintendent of the waterworks, threw the switch which caused the small metering machine to begin pumping sodium fluoride solution into the water supply. Fluoridation and chlorination are now required by law in every city and village in the state. When the new water treatment plant and elevated storage tank are completed and put into operation in July this year they will represent one of LeRoy's major "Horizon '76" projects for the Bicentennial year. The new water plant will be automated and the new tank will be a 250,000-gallon pedestal type 115 feet tall, 15 feet taller than the old standpipe. Contracts for the improvements, including four blocks of necessary new eight-inch water main, totaled $471,539. Funding is through 40-year 5% water revenue bonds. [Heritage of the prairie : a history of LeRoy and of Empire and West townships, McLean County, Illinois (1976) LeRoy Historical Society; LeRoy Bi-Centennial Commission]

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