Politics & Government
Chicago Heights-Homewood Water Deal Opens Spigot to Other Towns
Homewood to start taking delivery of Chicago Heights water on or around December 31, 2022.
(Chicago Heights, IL) – A newly inked water agreement that will have the City of Chicago Heights delivering Lake Michigan water to the Village of Homewood at favorable and predictable rates may open the floodgates for other south suburban communities to sign similar deals, according to City of Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez.
“The water supply agreement grants Homewood a reliable supply of Lake Michigan water at lower and predictable rates over the next 25-years,” said Gonzalez. “We expect that other south suburban communities will consider joining our regional water initiative that can provide cheaper water at predictable prices over the long-term.”
The 25-year deal between the two communities approved by Chicago Heights and Homewood envisions Homewood to start taking delivery of water on or around December 31, 2022.
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Homewood will pay $4.05 per 1,000 gallons for access to Lake Michigan water that Chicago Heights obtains through its supplier, Hammond, Indiana.
“This agreement will benefit all Homewood residents and businesses with an established water rate for the next 25 years,” said Homewood Mayor Richard Hofeld.
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The long-term water rate certainty would financially benefit other communities, according to Gonzalez.
“Beyond the initial, lower start-up water rate for Homewood, the agreement’s long-term, no-surprises rate predictability simplifies municipal budget-making,” said Gonzalez. “Other communities would also benefit from the same cost stability that Homewood will enjoy.”
In September 2018, Chicago Heights and Hammond concluded an agreement to provide the capacity for 10 million gallons of Lake Michigan water to be delivered daily to communities in the south suburbs. Besides Homewood, communities authorized to purchase the water under the Chicago Heights-Hammond agreement are Flossmoor, Olympia Fields, Matteson, Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest, East Hazel Crest, and Sauk Village.
“The Chicago-Heights-Hammond agreement increases the supply of clean, fresh Lake Michigan water to more south suburban communities at extremely competitive rates,” said Gonzalez.
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