Wheeling complex that lost water in August signs with private supplier
Wheeling's 210-unit Plum Creek Condominiums, which were without water for five days last August, has signed an agreement for water and sewer service with private supplier American Water.
Plum Creek residents were without water for five days in mid-August when a pump shaft in one of the condo association's two wells broke. The other well had failed months earlier.
While the village has not gotten complaints from condo residents since a new pump, motor and pipes were installed, that wasn't viewed as a permanent solution.
Wheeling Director of Public Works Mark Janeck said the village urged the condo association to either replace the well or hook up to village water or a private system.
It is unclear how much it will cost Plum Creek to switch its water supply to American Water. Plum Creek's management company, Cornerstone Management, could not be reached for comment.
Janeck said it would be less expensive for Plum Creek, which is on Wolf Road north of Hintz Road, to get American Water than to get village water because the company's water main is closer to the complex.
Also, Wheeling would probably require Plum Creek to make additional improvements since it would have become part of the village's public water supply system, Janeck said.
American Water buys Lake Michigan water from Glenview. The company serves about 4,330 single-family, multifamily and commercial customers, including those in Prospect Heights, Mount Prospect and a small part of Wheeling.
Illinois American Water Engineering Manager Richard Hermann said in an email the expenses are anticipated to include the cost of extending a short section of water main to connect to the existing American Water main, and to remove the private well and treatment systems from the original system.
American Water will bill the complex, rather than send individual bills to each condo owner. Costs will be based on the size of the meter Plum Creek gets, gallons of water used, and terms of the final agreement between Plum Creek and American Water.
The switch will likely happen in the spring when conditions are better to complete the construction. Afterward, the wells will be used only in emergencies, Janeck said.
In related news, on Thursday, American Water filed an application with the Illinois Commerce Commission to increase its water rates starting January 2017.
The proposed rate increases would vary by municipality, but in Wheeling there would be an increase of $3.62 on an average monthly water bill for 4,500 gallons.