Water-contract switch best for residents
Providing safe, clean and affordable drinking water is a fundamental responsibility of local government.
For nearly four decades, Morton Grove and Niles have supplied clean, safe Lake Michigan water from the city of Chicago's treatment and transmission systems. Chicago provided a quality water supply; however, rising water rates set our communities on a path for unsustainable water rate increases. As both Chicago water supply contracts near expiration, our villages formed the Morton Grove Niles Water Commission to provide residents with a viable alternative to costly Chicago water.
The project will build a new water supply system through Skokie, connecting our communities to Evanston's pumping station. This will result in stabilized rates and a cost savings for Morton Grove and Niles of $21,000 per day, making much needed water-system infrastructure improvements obtainable.
Morton Grove, Niles and Skokie residents will see a total of $8.5 million in infrastructure improvements including newly reconstructed streets, curbs, gutters and sidewalks. Additionally, residents within the construction project area, whose existing lead service lines are exposed by construction, are eligible for replacement with copper lines into their homes, a value of up to $10,000, at no cost. The short-term results are surpassed only by the long-term benefits this project provides our residents. Over the course of 40 years, by switching suppliers, residents will save a projected $218 million in water costs which will be used for infrastructure improvements.
This significant project is a collaboration among local leaders seeking good fiscal stewardship of our communities and better results for our residents. We welcome your feedback and questions. As mayors of Morton Grove and Niles, we remain committed to ensuring that our communities remain places where families can thrive. To learn more about this project, visit mg-n-wc.org or contact the message center at (847) 588-7979.
Dan DiMaria, Mayor
Morton Grove
Andrew Przybylo, Mayor
Niles