Water issue still bubbling in Hawthorn Woods

Hawthorn Woods officials say the village has removed obstacles to allow Lake County government to build an upgraded water system for the 224-home Glennshire subdivision.

Village trustees Monday night voted to grant the county the necessary special-use permits, variance and rights-of-way needed for the proposed $6 million project.

Glennshire resident Christopher Donovan said a better system can't come soon enough, because there have been line breaks and water discoloration. Donovan is president of a homeowners' group called Citizens for Equitable Water Solutions.

"Our (water) system is in a very bad way," Donovan said Tuesday.

Described as a failed water system, repeated violations led the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to order Glennshire's 20 wells replaced in 2006. Lake County owns the system.

In addition, lawsuits have been flying in various directions over Glennshire's drinking water pipeline.

One of the suits, filed by the Illinois attorney general's office, contends Lake County was obliged to upgrade Glennshire's water system. In another complaint, the county pointed the finger at Hawthorn Woods, accusing the village of not granting the needed documents for upgrade work.

Lake County Administrator Barry Burton said he's awaiting official word from Hawthorn Woods regarding Monday's vote. He said it would be "great news" to have the proper documentation for the Glennshire project.

Hawthorn Woods Mayor Keith Hunt said the village board's action opens the door to revamping Glennshire's water system and negates the accusations in Lake County's lawsuit.

"We have removed all of their excuses," Hunt said of the county.

Despite the mayor's upbeat stance, village Trustee Steve Riess accused Hunt of causing a delay in the water system upgrades because he first wanted the county to approve sewer service in the Midlothian Road corridor.

However, Hunt said Riess is wrong and that sewer and water issues always were separate in talks with county officials.

"From the beginning, my goal is to represent the entire village and not small, special interests," Hunt said.

As for who would pay for the new water system, that issue is part of a federal lawsuit Glennshire's 672 residents filed against Lake County in late May. The county has agreed to foot $1 million of the projected $6 million cost.