Should Lake Zurich Switch to Lake Michigan Water?

The village of Lake Zurich is facing a costly decision regarding the future of its water supply. 

The village board learned during a workshop earlier this month it would cost $43 million to pay for Lake Michigan water, which would include constructing a $19.4 million pipeline from Arlington Heights to the village and $10 million for pumping facilities and storage, according to the Lake Zurich Courier. 

If the village sticks with groundwater, it would cost about $16.5 million mainly to install a Water Remediation Technology and become compliant with "future regulatory standards," according to the article. 

The Chicago Tribune reports a representative from Manhard Consulting said the upside of choosing Lake Michigan water "provides water source certainty" and a "long-term sustainable solution."  

The representative said finding places to dump radium in the future — due to increased regulations on its disposal — could be more difficult and therefore, more costly, and studies have also shown the village's underground water source "is currently overused, causing water tables to drop," according to the Chicago Tribune. 

Read more on the Chicago Tribune and Lake Zurich Courier. 

What do you think? Should Lake Zurich make the switch to Lake Michigan water? Tell us in the comments.