Why Lake Zurich is considering switching from deep wells to Lake Michigan water
Lake Zurich has taken the next step to determine whether to switch from deep wells to Lake Michigan as the village water source.
Village officials this week approved a $129,952 contact with CDM Smith, a Boston-based engineering and construction firm, to assess the village's current water distribution system.
The purpose is to provide recommendations and cost estimates for improvements or additional facilities needed to connect with the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency to supply Lake Michigan water.
The agency delivers drinking water to 13 members serving 19 communities including, most recently, Wauconda and Volo.
In September, the village and CLC JAWA agreed to share engineering costs to determine the feasibility and costs for the agency to provide Lake Michigan water to Lake Zurich.
The contract approved this week by the village is in addition to that agreement. The results will help determine whether a switch to Lake Michigan water should be made and if so, if CLC JAWA will supply it.
"No, we have not approved going for Lake Michigan water," said Mayor Tom Poynton. "We all agree it bears our consideration to do the due diligence properly."
Lake Zurich has had a Lake Michigan water allocation from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for several years. There is no expiration date, but the village needs to keep in good standing by making progress toward a transition and meeting annual reporting criteria, according to Michael Brown, public works director.
The new study will determine what will be needed to provide 100% of the village's water supply from a CLC JAWA connection and minimize the impact on system pressure, fire flows and other criteria.
The study is expected to take six months. Then, a workshop will be held to discuss the draft findings. A final report including recommended distribution system improvements, timeline and anticipated costs would follow.
The plan is to present the findings from both studies to the village board for further guidance in 2023, Brown said.
"It's a critical component in our journey to looking at Lake Michigan water (and) it's not a repeat or a refresh" of past studies, said Village Trustee Jonathan Sprawka.
"We're moving forward now, I think is the headline," he added.
Over several decades, "singularly focused" studies have concentrated on ground water supply, the deep wells, or Lake Michigan water and associated costs, according to an explanation on the village website.
Valuable information was collected, according to the village, but requirements and options have changed, and a comprehensive study regarding a safe and reliable water supply is needed.
Lake Zurich uses deep wells for its water, but naturally occurring radium has to be removed and disposed.
Officials are considering switching to an alternative water source primarily to be able to provide a long-term water supply because of concern over depletion of the aquifer, Brown said.
Continuing challenges meeting regulatory standards for water and wastewater are other considerations, he said.