(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Lake Zurich Village Board approved measures earlier this week that are ultimately expected to lead to a long-studied switch, which would see the village change its water source from a deep well aquifer to more sustainable Lake Michigan water — at a significant cost.
The village board unanimously agreed to join the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency, which supplies the water. It also approved a study to determine the best supply route.
“This is a big one,” said Village Trustee Marc Spaccone. “The decision to transition to Lake Michigan water has been analyzed and discussed in Lake Zurich since at least 2011.”
Spaccone said he “truly believes” that making Lake Michigan the village’s source for water is the right decision.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t made in the past, and so we have this challenge before us that we absolutely have to face head on,” he said.
Village Manager Ray Keller said there’s been “an exhaustive evaluation of staying on the deep water aquifer” and that Lake Michigan is “a much more reliable, sustainable source of water long-term for the village.”
The cost is estimated at more than $150 million. Bills would be higher, as would sales taxes.
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