Lake Zurich may cut its own water deal

Lake Zurich plans to break from a Lake Michigan water consortium and seek other suppliers to provide water for its residents.

The village board voted unanimously Monday night not to sign an agreement with the Northern Lake County Lake Michigan Water Planning Group to join the next phase of obtaining Lake Michigan water.

Lake Zurich has been one of 10 participating member communities of the consortium for three years. As part of the group, the village was able to obtain a Lake Michigan water allocation.

The consortium plans to begin its next phase, which includes establishing a governing agency, conducting additional feasibility studies and beginning a public information campaign. Each member has been asked to pay $50,000 during this fiscal year, and a memorandum of understanding was established to commit to these costs.

David Heyden, Lake Zurich's director of public works, said the village has hired two engineering firms to investigate alternative Lake Michigan water supply sources.

Heyden said village officials have met with five water suppliers. They discussed interest to serve the village, cost per 1,000 gallons and types of improvements needed to receive water.

After studying the 20-year cost based on daily average use within Wauconda and Lake Zurich, Heyden said the numbers indicate it would be cost effective and feasible to work with one of the five suppliers.

“We will take a more detailed look and try to nail down what improvements would be necessary at each facility so we can gain a more true cost to what each supplier would amount to,” he said.

Heyden said as the consortium begins its second phase, it may be useful to take part in its public information campaign. Village President Suzanne Branding and Heyden said they will propose to not commit $50,000 but instead contribute a revised amount to utilize the campaign.

“We will get those numbers and then will talk about it again,” Trustee Tom Poynton said.

Trustee Jeff Halen said his concern moving forward with the consortium was the village board does not know the residents' desires and how much they are willing to spend.

“I am concerned putting more money into something that may not be what the public wants because we don't know that threshold,” he said.

Trustee Rich Sustich said the village intends to survey residents about water planning. Details will be included on the next water bill and the village website, www.volz.org, about how to participate in the survey.

“We encourage as many residents as possible to participate in the survey,” Sustich said. “Later this year, we will have focus meetings with residents to get down to the details and get their considerations on what we might do and their comfort level regarding costs.”

Village administrator Bob Vitas said the five potential suppliers are the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency, Northwest Water Commission and villages of Highland Park, Lake Forest and Northbrook. He said Lake Zurich hopes to contract through one to buy water from their source.

“We have our allocation to enter into this agreement,” Vitas said.