In a recent development, suburban regions around Chicago might experience changes in the source of their Lake Michigan water. The city of Chicago's decision to stop selling Lake Michigan water to suburbs has led to the exploration of multiple alternatives, with the most likely one being the construction of a new pipeline to deliver water from the lake.
The Northwest Water Commission and Northwest Suburban Municipal Joint Action Water Agency are the two major entities that have been affected by Chicago's decision. The two agencies supply water to various suburbs including Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Palatine, and Wheeling among others. The decision by Chicago has compelled these agencies to look for new water sources or systems to continue their supply.
Among the alternatives, the construction of a new pipeline seems to be the most feasible solution. The new pipeline will pull water directly from Lake Michigan and deliver it to the suburbs. It is expected to be a costly project, with estimates suggesting a cost of around $1 billion. However, this option is considered more economical in the long run compared to continuously buying water from Chicago. The project might take a decade to complete but it is expected to provide a more stable supply of water to the suburbs in the future.
The new pipeline's design is expected to be similar to the existing DuPage Water Commission’s pipeline. The commission built its own pipeline to Lake Michigan in the 1990s after facing similar issues with Chicago. The success of the DuPage Water Commission’s pipeline provides a positive outlook for the proposed new pipeline.
Meanwhile, the Illinois International Port District is another potential water source that the agencies are considering. This option, however, is considered less likely due to the potential issue of water quality. The Port District draws water from the Calumet River, which is known to have lower water quality compared to Lake Michigan.
Regardless of the chosen solution, the suburbs are expected to see a rise in water rates. This would be due to the high costs associated with the construction of new water infrastructure or the purchase of water from alternate sources. Nonetheless, the communities are hopeful that these changes will secure a stable and quality water supply for the future.