Shorewood study to plan for future of water system
By Clare Walters For The Herald-News June 29, 2012 8:04AM
Updated: August 7, 2012 6:07AM
SHOREWOOD — Village officials want more information on the village’s water supply but not because of the summer drought.
The village board Tuesday approved a proposal not to exceed $22,500 from Mokena-based Baxter & Woodman to update the village’s water supply planning report — a document that outlines long-term water supply options.
Trustee Dan Anderson said the village first began working on a water supply plan in 2007 and needs to update it.
“We need to start working and planning toward the future,” he said.
The study will examine water usage and project usage 20 years in the future, helping to determine water rates in order to fund needed improvements. It also will examine the potential or need to dig wells, convert to Lake Michigan water or draw water from the Kankakee River.
Trustee Jim McDonald cast a lone vote against conducting the study. He questioned whether the village was duplicating efforts from the previous study.
“Sometimes I think we do too many studies in too close proximity,” he said.
Anderson said there’s more to this study than the one previously conducted.
“It’s something we need to get moving on,” he said. “No one here has the time or expertise to put this together. I don’t think it’s going to be a waste of money.”
Roger Barrowman, interim village administrator, said the report is needed to show progress on shoring up the village’s water system in order to be allocated Lake Michigan water, if that’s the direction the village decides to go.
“Each year we have to show that we’re cutting down on water loss in our system,” he said.
The study will take six to eight weeks to complete.
In other business, the village board approved a $703,500 bid from Morris-based Conley Excavating for the Seil Road force main relocation project, which includes the construction of 1,400 feet of a force main along Seil Road across Route 59 and Interstate 55.
The project, funded by a grant, is needed because of the construction of the I-55 interchange.
