Des Plaines approves deal for new, cheaper water source
Des Plaines officials are hoping at least three of four village boards in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Palatine and Wheeling sign off on a 20-year agreement that will allow the city to connect to a new, cheaper water source.
Those four towns are members of the Northwest Water Commission and ultimately get to determine whether to sell their Lake Michigan water to Des Plaines. If a majority of the boards say yes, Des Plaines would become the first customer in the 58-year history of the water commission.
On Monday, Des Plaines aldermen unanimously approved the deal, which followed approval earlier this month by the commission, composed of representatives from the four towns and a chairman appointed by the Cook County Board president.
The city plans to buy a maximum of 5 million gallons a day from the agency, located at 1525 N. Wolf Road on Des Plaines' north side. The city would still buy some 2 million gallons a day from Chicago in order to keep Des Plaines' water tank on Maple Street south of Touhy Avenue operational.
Des Plaines officials began exploring options for an alternative water source two years ago after Chicago increased its rate by 25 percent and promised 15 percent increases in the following years through 2015.
The commission would charge Des Plaines $1.78 for every 1,000 gallons of water - a higher rate than the commission member towns pay by 60 cents per 1,000 gallons.
But it's still cheaper than what Chicago charges: $3.32 per 1,000 gallons.
Des Plaines officials estimate they'll save as much as $10,000 a day under the new arrangement.
The city has set aside $6 million over the next two years to build a 6,500-foot, 24-inch pipeline that connects the agency's water tank on Wolf Road to the Des Plaines pumping station and reservoir at 877 Central Road, and make improvements to the facilities.
MWH Americas, the city's water supply consultant, is expected to complete design work for the project in the next five months, after which construction can begin. The new water source could be operable by 2016.
The four village boards likely will consider the agreement during their Oct. 6 meetings.