Chilled water is produced at one of the campus’ five chilled water plants. Underground piping transports the water from the chiller production plants to many buildings on campus. Once this cooled water is used, it is recirculated and brought back to the plants. The temperature of the chilled water supply at the university is approximately 42 degrees Fahrenheit, and the change in the returning water’s temperature must be at least 15 degrees.

Electricity for the campus comes from two primary sources: production at Abbott Power Plant on campus or purchased from another provider by Prairieland Energy, Inc. and then shipped to the Main Campus Substation, where it is then distributed to campus. Additionally, some campus facilities are served directly by Ameren Illinois, the local electric utility service.

The majority of the university’s 52-mile electrical-distribution system is underground ductwork and manholes and includes two substations, 12 distribution centers, and 28 load centers. Point-of-use electricity meters are being upgraded to continuously report each building’s energy usage. 

The university’s natural gas system consists of a transmission pipeline that transports the gas from an interstate pipeline near Monticello to the campus. Both parts of the system are regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission, and their protocols include audits of the system operation and maintaining records for the supply and distribution of the campus’s natural gas. The distribution system serves several buildings on the south campus; however, most buildings on the main campus are still served by Ameren Illinois, the local public utility.

The University of Illinois is one of the first and only campuses in the country with its own natural gas pipeline. To minimize its carbon footprint, Abbott Power Plant will turn off its coal-fired generators, and utilize only natural gas to meet the campus’ energy demands.

Potable water delivered to campus is purchased from the Illinois American Water Company (IAWC) and is delivered to the campus piping system at five delivery points. The campus water-distribution system is considered a consecutive system – there are no breaks between the IAWC’s pipes and the campus’ own system – and as such must meet standards set forth by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). Permits are required to construct additiond to this system, as well as regular testing of the system, with results reported to the IEPA.

Although the university’s water system is a separate system, not all buildings on campus are connected to it. As a result of the property being purchased after the university’s water system was put in place or of being part of university property too far removed from the campus’ water delivery system, these buildings are connected directly to the IAWC’s water-delivery system.  

Water Quality Report

The sanitary sewer system connects university buildings to the Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District, which operates waste-treatment plants in the local community. The system consists of underground piping and manholes. The construction and operation of this system is regulated by the IEPA, and as such, permits are required to construct additions to this system.

The university’s steam supply is produced at Abbott Power Plant and is distributed via three different systems: walkable steam tunnels, shallow steam tunnels, which are large enough only for two pipes; and direct-buried piping systems, which utilize no tunnels. Once the steam is in the buildings, it is distributed through radiators, water-heating systems, and heat exchangers. After the energy in the manufactured steam has been utilized, the remaining condensate is metered and returned to Abbott.

Walkable steam tunnels require special safety gear and are for authorized personnel only.

Stormwater is defined as rainwater and snowmelt. The stormwater sewer system is designed to transport excess stormwater from campus to the two local drainage basins: Boneyard Creek and the Embarras River. The operation of this system is regulated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Because the stormwater sewer system drains directly to natural basins, it is critical to keep it clean and not contribute pollutants to its flow. The University of Illinois’ Stormwater Management Program is designed to minimize pollution and improve water quality in the drainage basins.

The Stormwater Management Program meets the requirements of the University’s permit with the Illinois EPA. Called a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) Permit, it allows the University to discharge stormwater into its receiving streams. The Program's 49 best management practices (BMPs) include initiatives that educate students, staff, and faculty about stormwater impacts, detect and eliminate illicit discharges, control stormwater runoff from construction sites during and after construction, and prevent pollution from facility operations.

Compliance audits improve campus environmental stewardship by identifying program deficiencies and reducing non-compliance liabilities. Environmental audits consist of records review and facility site visits.

More information on compliance and environmental auditing

The University collaborates with neighboring communities that also have MS4 permits by sharing information and resources to best comply with requirements. The MS4 Technical Committee includes practitioners from the University, the City of Champaign, the City of Urbana, the Village of Savoy, and Champaign County. Committee activities include hosting stormwater conferences and sponsoring semi-annual clean up events.

More about the Boneyard Creek Community Day cleanup