Title/Name/Summary
DUE TO SPACING ISSUES PLEASE PRINT RESOLTUION FROM ATTACHMENTS
Resolution for Water Use Conservation for the Lake Michigan Water Communities of the Chicago Southland
Body
Whereas, the Great Lakes basin is a unified natural resource and ecosystem servicing multiple states and provinces; and
Whereas, the legal framework for allocating Lake Michigan water in northeastern Illinois is established by various international, federal and state treaties and laws that control the diversion of Great Lakes water; and
Whereas, Lake Michigan is our region’s most important water supply resource, supplying two-thirds of the municipalities and over 80% of the population within the northeastern Illinois region; and
Whereas, the 1980 Supreme Court of the United States consent decree in Wisconsin v. Illinois mandated a 3,200 cubic foot per second (cfs) diversion limit of Lake Michigan water for the State of Illinois and the Chicago Metropolitan region; and
Whereas, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s Water 2050 Northeastern Illinois Regional Water Supply/Demand Plan (2010) determined that without effective resource management, water demand could increase as much as 64% by 2050 that would necessarily exceed the Supreme Court diversion mandate; and
Whereas, the Level of Lake Michigan Act mandated all users of Lake Michigan water possess a valid allocation permit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources; and
Whereas, the IDNR gives highest priority to communities where Lake Michigan water is the most economical water source for its customers; and
Whereas, this and other suburban communities obtain Lake Michigan water from the City of Chicago as the most economical potable water source; and
Whereas, the City of Chicago increased the water rates 25% in 2012 with 15% increases planned for the following three years to help cover the cost of the city’s aging water and capacity-restricted infrastructure; and
Whereas, this and other suburban communities will pay the Chicago water rate increase for Lake Michigan water in addition to local ongoing long-term water supply maintenance costs, distribution fees and infrastructure upgrades; and
Whereas, the water rate increase will compound existing financial and tax burdens for residents and businesses alike in challenging economic times; and
Whereas, this and other suburban communities can effectively manage local water system infrastructure and operational costs, help reduce peak system demands and improve water conservation that will have a positive influence on the overall cost of Lake Michigan water supplied by the City of Chicago;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Orland Park Cook and Will Counties, Illinois, as follows:
SECTION 1
The Village Board establishes the following principles to provide our residents with the knowledge and tools to take steps to mitigate the impact of the water rate increase through smarter water use and supply management and conservation efforts.
Principle 1
Lake Michigan water is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment. Communities should pursue opportunities for managing infrastructure efficiently, reinvesting and maintaining existing systems and meeting regulatory requirements for improved efficiency in water use and supply.
Principle 2
Water development and management should be based on a participatory approach, involving users, managers and policy-makers at all levels.
Principle 3
Readily available water is the product of a complex infrastructure system, which adds economic value. Every resident has a right to clean, safe, sufficient, affordable and accessible drinking water and the responsibility to use water efficiently and not waste it. Not all water uses require potable water. Applications for water recycling should be explored.
Principle 4
Water efficiency and conservation are tools and should be considered equally with other means of meeting our water needs. Saving water helps save money and energy, and reduces future water supply and infrastructure costs.
Principle 5
Water efficiency and conservation best management practices are essential to preserving Lake Michigan and other fresh water sources. They help restore natural watersheds by allowing storm water to infiltrate into the ground and regenerate local water tables rather than losing it to impervious development that quickly carries it away in pipes and other infrastructure.
Principle 6
Cost-effective water efficiency, conservation and re-use options should be pursued and developed into a collaborative multi-year regional plan with neighboring communities and other sub-regional water supply efforts. The plan must respect and adjust to meet the natural and mandated limits of our water source.
SECTION 2
This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval in the manner provided by law.