Work on key facilities to bring Lake Michigan water to Lake Zurich gets underway

After years of talk, study and approvals, an initiative to bring Lake Michigan water to Lake Zurich will begin to have a physical presence in town this summer.

The village board this week approved a contract with William Brothers Construction Inc. of Peoria to build the Oakwood pump station and a 1 million-gallon water storage reservoir at the northeast corner of Midlothian and Oakwood roads.

William Brothers was the lowest qualified bidder at $18.3 million. The overall project budget was set at $22.85 million for construction, alternates, contingency and engineering.

Located on village-owned land, the facilities represent the first phase of a $154 million project to replace five groundwater wells as the village's primary water source with a single connection to Lake Michigan through the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency's distribution system.

Four years have passed since the village issued a formal letter of intent to the agency asking to explore further steps to bring Lake Michigan water to town.

“Excited to finally put a shovel in the ground and begin construction of this historical project,” said Michael Brown, public works director.

The 4,000-square-foot pump station will receive Lake Michigan water and be the primary pumping station for Lake Zurich's water distribution system.

Both facilities are designed to resemble similar commercial buildings in the neighboring Lake Zurich industrial park, he added.

A walking path with enhanced landscaping areas for public use is planned for the northern end of the property. Construction is scheduled to begin in late July or early August and continue through 2027 when other phases will get underway, including the 7-mile pipeline.

In Ela Township, a portion of the route still is in flux.

Rather than proceeding south on Diamond Lake Road as initially envisioned, CLC JAWA suggests connecting the 24-inch diameter pipeline at Indian Creek Road via Eagle Drive, a township road.

The agency contends that would be less disruptive and expensive and could be done more quickly.

Residents contend the neighborhood would be bearing the burden for the benefit of other communities and the access would be disrupted for about 100 homes in the Indian Trails and Indian Meadows subdivisions.

Using the Eagle Drive right of way for construction will require approval from the township board. Three public meetings have been held with no decision reached.

The township prefers using the Diamond Lake Road right of way, said Supervisor Laurie Wilhoit.

Using the township right of way through Indian Trails is contingent on written certification from the Lake County Division of Transportation that the Diamond Lake Road route is infeasible or would require the use of eminent domain, she added.

Both proposed routes are being discussed with the respective road owners, according to CLC JAWA.