The City has maintained a municipal water system since 1872. Rock Island's source of water is the Mississippi River. An average of 5 million gallons are pumped daily to the Water Treatment Plant at 2215 16th Avenue for processing. A large ground storage facility and six elevated towers supply the 220 miles of water mains and 2,000 fire hydrants that deliver drinking water and provide fire protection throughout the City.

Rock Island Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project

The City of Rock Island is proposing improvements to the Rock Island Water Treatment Plant to support an Illinois EPA State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan under Project L177726. The project includes replacing four aging water storage domes and the existing pump station with new water storage tanks and a pump station. Interested parties are encouraged to review and comment on the Project Summary which provide details on the project scope, location, schedule, financing, and potential environmental impacts. A public notice has been issued and public comments will be accepted through Noon on February 6, 2026.