Towns exploring option to Chicago water

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Updated: March 18, 2012 8:18AM

In a strategic effort to escape Chicago’s fast-rising water rates, Midlothian is ready to join an association of municipalities that’s seeking to obtain lake water from Indiana.

Brett Postal, of the architectural-engineering firm Postal Yore and Associates, tried to persuade village trustees Wednesday night to join the Joint Action Water Agency, which proposes to build a water system to pump water from Lake Michigan in Indiana instead of buying lake water from Chicago.

So far, Harvey, Markham, Robbins, Blue Island and Alsip have joined the eight-month-old agency.

“This (plan) is in response to the increases from Chicago,” Midlothian Mayor Terry Stephens said. “We have to find a way to stabilize water costs.”

Chicago is raising its rates 25 percent this year, followed by successive 15 percent hikes in each of the next three years.

Stephens said the project, targeted for completion in 2016, would include construction of a water intake crib on Lake Michigan; an on-shore facility; a major pipeline from Whiting, Ind., to Illinois; a filtration plant; and more pipelines to various communities. The project would be financed with bonds, which will be paid back through surcharges on water bills.

“The biggest benefits will come down the road over time,” Stephens said.

Postal requested the village board to authorize an agreement to join the water agency and appoint a trustee to its board. Trustees agreed to put a proposed ordinance on the village board’s March 14 meeting agenda.

“We’ll still have the option to get out if we feel it’s not in our best interest,” Stephens said. “At the very least, we’ll have the opportunity to give our input.”

Postal said his firm has “started conversations with Whiting and East Chicago, Ind.,” about the water project.