Construction has kicked off on a $1.45-billion, 60-mile pipeline that will enable Chicago to provide water to 250,000 people currently relying on a dwindling supply of well water.

In just 45 days, we built an entire survival system in the heart of the forest—completely by hand. We discovered groundwater 6.5 meters deep, constructed a filter tank, built a cozy 3x3m house, and ...