Fox Lake studies new water source
Fox Lake is the latest community to continue pursuing a study designed to bring Lake Michigan water to the northern part of Lake County.
John Callan, spokesman from Applied Technologies in Oak Brook, explained to Fox Lake officials that studies are ongoing to determine if the northern part of Lake County would benefit from using Lake Michigan water rather than drilling wells below ground and using water pulled from the aquifer.
Currently, the village maintains five wells in the village. However, like most well water, the water quality is questionable and considered hard, Callan said.
Callan explained that relying on wells in the future is risky, as the underground aquifer is being used too much.
He said Lake Michigan water is feasible to the area, and would bring better water quality. He said people would rely less on water softeners and, simultaneously, save the village money while trying to treat it.
"The meetings I have had are positive, and we are really encouraged," he said. "The cost of treatment is going up with the radium in the water. The cost of treating well water is more expensive than treating Lake Michigan water."
He said the idea is to run 45 miles of pipes from Lake Michigan to the northern part of the county. The pipes would be separated along the different towns looking to hook up to the water.
The towns discussing the options, Callan said, are Fox Lake, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Antioch, Old Mill Creek, Wauconda and unincorporated Lake County.
He said it would cost the villages in question collectively $175 million to hook up to Lake Michigan. He added, however, that cost would be covered over 30 years with 6 million to 12 million users covering the price tag.
He said the area uses about 6 million gallons of water a day, but that usage could double to 12 million in the next decade because of increased growth in the area. He said tap on fees for new users would also offset the cost of building the pipelines.
He said the owner of a $300,000 home in northern Lake County would see an increase of about $450 annually if everyone agrees to hook into Lake Michigan.
"But, we are at least six or seven years off before a decision needs to be made about this," Callan told the board. "This is right now in the planning stages, trying to see if its feasible."
He said other communities who have inquired about switching to Lake Michigan water have been on board with the idea.
If completed, a new governmental agency would be created to oversee the water agency, Callan said.
Village board officials said it was a good idea to move forward with plans and look forward to future discussions about it.
"Lake County really has been the push to bring this together," said Trustee Greg Murrey. "There will be a significant long term savings on all products because it is better water."