WOODRIDGE –– The Village of Woodridge is growing and in order to accommodate their needs, they applied for and received a USDA Rural Development grant to assist with the update and expansion of the Village water plant.  

According to Woodridge Mayor Joan Collins, the Village has been awarded a grant of $4,436,500 plus a low interest loan in the amount of $2,963,000.  

“These funds will go a long way to upgrade and increase the capacity of the current system,” said Collins.

The Village presently has a water storage tank that holds 300,000 gallons and plans to construct another water storage tank with a capacity of 585,000.

Collins reports that the all-year population of the Village is 750 residents, but during the summer season it expands to approximately 5,000. The average winter water usage is 0.283 gallons per day, while in the summer the usage increases to 0.489 million gallons per day on average, she added.  

Projected water usage growth in the near future is 0.379 million gallons per day and in the summer, 0.654 million gallons per day, said Collins.

“I’m thrilled with the financial assistance the Village has been awarded by the USDA,” said Collins. “Woodridge is growing and these funds will go a long way to help improve and expand the water system to accommodate the growth.  

“Real estate in Woodridge does not stay on the market long,” continued Collins.  “Our Village is attractive to many newcomers and we are thrilled with the growth and development.”