US cities agree on water purchase terms

Waukesha and Oak Creek of Wisconsin, US, have agreed on the final terms of a water purchase deal.

Under the terms of the agreement, Waukesha will buy Lake Michigan water from Oak of Creek for an initial period of 40 years at a price of $183m.

The common council of both the communities has approved the deal and the final contract will be signed after receiving the approval from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Governors of the Great Lakes states under the Great Lakes Compact.

As per the Great Lakes Compact Wukesha will have to recycle the treated water back to Lake Michigan to prevent negative impact on the lake’s levels.

Wukesha alderman Paul Ybarra said the deal is an example of the benefits of regional cooperation.

"Waukesha will have a sustainable supply of healthy water, and Oak Creek will benefit from increased revenues for both the water utility and the city," Ybarra added.

"Oak Creek was creative in finding ways to utilize existing infrastructure more efficiently, which cut the length of the pipeline and deferred other improvements required by Wukesha."

The revenue generated by the deal will help the cities of Oak Creek, Franklin, and Caledonia reduce the water charges for their residents and businesses by up to 25%.

Wukesha Water Utility Commission president Dan Warren said Oak Creek proposed to jointly govern the city’s water treatment facility.

"The goal is to explore reducing the costs for all ratepayers through regional cooperation," Warren added.

The city of Wukesha has reached the agreement to obtain the water of the lake and address its need to replace the existing water supply which has been contaminated by radium.

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Image: The Portage Lake Michigan shore. Photo: Pedco.