Frankfort Hosts Public House Discussing Water Supply

FRANKFORT, IL — The Village of Frankfort is currently evaluating an option to switch from its existing well water supply to Lake Michigan water.

The Village is offering a Lake Michigan water survey to residents to share opinions, and also hosting a public open house at 5 p.m. on Aug. 4 at 432 W. Nebraska St.

According to the Village's water fact sheet, Frankfort's current source is 10 individual wells which draw from the Silurian dolomite aquifer.

The Village has recently completed an in-depth engineering analysis to explore connecting to the Oak Lawn Regional Water System and switching to Lake Michigan water.

This switch would require a new transmission main constructed between Frankfort and Tinley Park, as well as significant infrastructure upgrades between $75 and 100 million, according to the Village. Water rates are projected to increase nearly 300 percent with the switch as well.

In 2000, the Village gauged public support for the switch to Lake Michigan water through a non-binding referendum. Two-thirds of voters opposed the change, the Village said.

Some benefits of Lake Michigan water include lower levels of calcium and magnesium, which would likely result in homes not needing water softeners. If it did switch, the Village would need to secure a water allocation permit from the IDNR, as Illinois is legally limited in how much water it can withdraw from the lake, according to the fact sheet.

The Village said that there are also needed wastewater system upgrades coming, and these upgrades may require additional rate increases regardless of water source.