Antioch takes next step to Lake Michigan water

Saying their town faces a water quality and quantity challenge, Antioch officials say they are moving closer to weaning the village off well water.

Village board members approved the next step toward tapping into Lake Michigan water at their meeting Monday night. The vote essentially served notice to the eight other towns also pursuing lake water that Antioch is still onboard.

Jim Parks, the village of Antioch management analyst, said the move was procedural and won't cost the village any money.

"The vote indicated that Antioch will stay engaged in this process," Parks said Tuesday.

Antioch, along with Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Fox Lake, Wauconda, Lake Zurich, Volo, Hawthorn Woods and Long Grove are making pitches for Lake Michigan water to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources next month.

It would take at least five years to complete the $253 million project, officials estimate. Nearly 60 miles of pipe would need to be laid west and south from the lake. Homeowners could expect monthly water bills to increase by $40 once the system is up and running.

Antioch began the Lake Michigan water effort to nearly three years ago, Trustee George Sakas said. Though it might be hard for residents to see the need for the costly project, Sakas said the village faces a twofold problem.

"We have both a quality and a quantity issue," he said Tuesday. "Most people in town can tell you about the mineral and calcium build up we experience. I have replaced my kitchen sink a number of times. There is calcification in the lines that creates problems. In addition, the aquifers that serve our town are not going to be sufficient to supply our residents as our population increases in the coming years. This is a long, but important project."

Even though Antioch borders the Chain O' Lakes, Sakas said a thick layer of clay prevents most of the water from percolating down to the aquifers.

Sakas acknowledged that talk of higher water rates comes at "the most miserable time," given the current recession. Whether the village proceed with the project will be decided by referendum in 2011 or 2012.

"It won't be village leaders who will make that decision. The voters will have the last word," he said.