Politics & Government
Villages Get Short-Term Water Supply Deal While Negotiations Continue
New Lenox is negotiating a new long-term contract with other area municipalities to determine how much each will pay for water supply through Oak Lawn, which is overhauling its system for about $100 million.
Area municipalities have extended their water supply contracts with Oak Lawn for nine months while they continue to negotiate a long-term deal.
Oak Lawn delivers Lake Michigan water to a number of municipalities in the south suburbs, including Mokena, , Oak Forest, Orland Park and Tinley Park. About $100 million in improvements are planned for Oak Lawn's water supply system, and these municipalities will bear the cost.
The cost that each municipality will pay is just part of what's being negotiated. Currently, everyone gets water from one line coming from Oak Lawn. A second line would be constructed for the south suburbs because of anticipated population growth.
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Each town involved is extending its water contract for nine months, with the option for an additional three months if necessary, New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann said.
"We're hoping to get a deal done by the end of (the nine months), and we feel pretty confident we'll be able to," Baldermann said.
Find out what's happening in New Lenoxfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The contract being negotiated would last for about 30 years.
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