Carol Stream, Wayne Twp. come up dry on water compromise

Despite a proposed compromise, Carol Stream and Wayne Township officials aren't any closer to finalizing plans to supply Benjamin Middle School with Lake Michigan water.

Responding to complaints from dozens of Benjamin parents, Wayne Township Highway Commissioner Ken Spitz this week said he's willing to work with Carol Stream to provide water service to the middle school in an unincorporated area near West Chicago.

But the proposed intergovernmental agreement Spitz wants the village to sign would delay water main installation along Fair Oaks Road until both government entities resolve their disagreements about the $2.8 million project.

On Wednesday, Carol Stream officials said simply extending the water system along a segment of St. Charles Road and having it dead end at the school is a "fatally flawed" idea that won't work.

"Typically, a dead-end water main is not a good idea for the folks at the dead end," Village Manager Joe Breinig said. "Because if there is a water main break, there is no water. That compromises safety and puts the school at risk."

In the meantime, Benjamin parents have launched an e-mail campaign to pressure Spitz to give Carol Stream permission to build the main.

The village planned such a project in case any contaminated wells were found in the area. In 2006, homeowners along Judith Lane and Riviera Court were allowed to connect to the village's water system after vinyl chloride pollution was discovered in their private wells.

In addition to concerns about water quality, Benjamin District 25 officials say fire protection could be improved because hydrants would be installed with the water main. If Lake Michigan water isn't available this year, the middle school's well system, water conditioning system and plumbing fixtures will need to be fixed.

Spitz stressed he wants to see the school get lake water. But he said he doesn't believe Carol Stream and the township can quickly resolve differences involving the installation of a water main along Fair Oaks.

"So let's focus on what we agree on, which is service to the school," Spitz said. "There is no reason to hold up service to the school because we have issues on Fair Oaks Road."

Breinig said breaking up the project isn't the right move.

"It's not a good engineering practice," he said. "I don't know anybody who would recommend a dead-end water main to a school."