(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — One western suburb is trying to get ahead of dwindling groundwater supplies.
Water levels at the Deep Sandstone Aquifer are declining, and the Illinois Office of Water Resources predicts wells will be at risk of inoperability by 2050.
“There’s going to come a point in the near future when that source of water will no longer be really viable for water supply,” said Peter Wallers, an engineer for the Village of Montgomery.
That’s why Montgomery is looking into six alternative water sources, which will be presented at a Nov. 3 open house.
Supply options boil down to two main sources: Lake Michigan and the Fox River.
Lake Michigan water could be sourced from the Joliet Area Water Commission; the DuPage Water Commission or the Illinois American utility near Plainfield.
A Fox River water supply could be tapped through a partnership with Aurora or other neighboring communities or by having Montgomery set up an independent venture.
“It will be the village board that would have the final say,” Wallers said. “Obviously, they’re quite interested in getting input from their citizens, so, at the open house, we'll present costs and basic information on all six of those alternatives.”
All six proposals are relatively similar in cost and would likely mean an increase in water bills, he told WBBM Newsradio.
“I think residents understand the importance of investing in water supply, and yes, the price is going to go up, but it's still a good value,” he said.
The Montgomery Village Board hopes to finalize a plan by January 2022.
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