Joliet has joined the Lower DuPage River Watershed Coalition, a group of communities working to improve the river’s water quality.

The city voted unanimously Feb. 7 to contribute $20,287 toward the coalition, which also includes Naperville, Plainfield, Shorewood and Channahon. The group, which is seeking 501c non-profit status, is being modeled after an Upper DuPage River coalition of municipalities.

Joliet’s contribution is proportional to the wastewater discharge volumes and storm water runoff within the watershed. Naperville is contributing $60,000.

Joliet’s contribution is less because most of the city’s wastewater discharge goes into the Des Plaines River, city officials said. However, the city’s storm water runoff – which can include fertilizer from lawns or motor oil from parking lots — is still significant in the area.

The coalition is expected to work together to compile guidelines based on Illinois Environmental Protection Agency recommendations to reduce contaminates in the waterway.

A coalition board has been created with representatives from each municipality. A Will County official represents the county’s unincorporated areas. A city engineer represents Joliet on the executive board.