Cheaper to go it alone? Montgomery Village Board gets cost estimates for new water source

When it comes to choosing a new municipal water source, village of Montgomery officials might want to go it alone and look towards the Fox River.

The estimated capital cost to the village to construct its own water treatment plant that would draw water from the Fox River would be just over $72.3 million, according to information contained in an Alternative Water Source Study (AWSS) presented to the village board Monday evening, Oct. 11.

That capital cost estimate was the lowest of five estimates for a new water source examined in the study prepared for the village by Engineering Enterprises, Inc. of Sugar Grove and presented to the board by Jeffrey Freeman, the firm’s chief executive officer.

Freeman noted that when village officials first began discussing the need for a new water source in 2015 they had about three potential alternatives. He said since that time the number of alternatives has increased to six.

“It is good to have alternatives,” Freeman added.

As part of the study, EEI examined and provided estimated costs to the village for developing a regional water treatment plant with neighboring Oswego and Yorkville which would draw water from the Fox River, connecting the village’s water system to the city of Aurora’s, and obtaining Lake Michigan water through either the DuPage Water Commission or the newly forming Joliet Area Water Commission.

Another potential water source that would provide the village with Lake Michigan water via a private utility known as Illinois Lake Water of Plainfield, was also examined in the study. However, capital costs are not yet available for that option.

According to the study, the village’s estimates capital cost to connect its water system to the City of Aurora’s would be just over $78 million while the village’s share of the cost to develop a regional water treatment plant with Oswego and Yorkville would be $87.4 million.

The study estimated the capital cost to the village to connect and obtain Lake Michigan water through the DuPage Water Commission at $100 million and the cost to connect and obtain lake water through the fledgling Joliet Area Water Commission at just over $119.6 million.

Montgomery, Oswego and Yorkville are all currently individually and collectively seeking to identify a new water source in the wake of the Illinois State Water Survey determining that the water supply in the deep well aquifer from which all three communities pump their water is being depleted and by 2050 may be at a severe risk to not meet local water demand.

The three municipalities are working towards a goal of selecting their new water sources by the end of this year.

No matter which option they choose, village water customers should expect to pay significantly more for their water service in the years ahead to cover the village’s increased capital and other costs related to connecting to a new water source.

According to the study, a typical monthly water bill of $48.80 on the village’s existing water system will increase to $60.55 by 2030, based on an annual water rate increase of 5.5%. But that same bill would be $90.49 per month in 2030 if the village were to begin operation of its own water treatment plant and $92.37 if the village were to partner with Oswego and Yorkville in operating a plant.

The study estimated the monthly bills would range between $97.21 and $106.41 if the village were to receive Lake Michigan water through the DuPage Water commission and $100.35 if the village were to connect to the city of Aurora’s system.

The public will have a chance to view and talk to village officials and consultants about the study and the selection of a new water source during an open house set for Wednesday, Nov. 3 at village hall. Following the open house, the board will continue its discussions during a workshop meeting set for Saturday, Nov. 13. Start times for the open house and workshop meeting are pending.

The board is working toward a goal of deciding on whether or not utilize the Joliet Water Commission as the village’s water source by the end of the year