Study reveals Harrisburg could potentially save millions on water costs

HARRISBURG - A water study the city authorized in 2018 has shown that Harrisburg could likely provide for its own water at a savings of $12 to $15 million over the next 40 years.

However, that information could be academic for Harrisburg, which in late 2018 signed a 40-year contract with its current water provider, the Saline Valley Conservancy District.

Earlier in 2018, after some friction between the city and the conservancy district, the city put $40,000 into a study by HMG Engineers to see if Harrisburg could find a different source of water.

However, before the results of the water study were in, the Harrisburg City Council voted to go with the 40-year contract with Saline Valley.

Commissioners Richard Harper and Natalie Miller voted against the new contract, pointing out they just spent $40,000 on a study.

On Thursday, Brian Buchheit of HMG Engineers said his firm's study showed that by acquiring property above the limestone aquifer in Gallatin County and drilling its own wells, and by then running water lines to Harrisburg from those wells, the city could save about $12 million over the next 40 years.

Buchheit said his company's figures are based on current Harrisburg water usage rates, the city's cost for water from Saline Valley and the county's declining population, which is projected to continue to drop.

Certain advantageous financing through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency would place savings closer to $15 million based on those numbers, Buchheit said.

Commissioner Mike Weirauch questioned Buchheit about how realistic the numbers in the study are.

"These are all projections," Weirauch said.

"They are projections, but we believe they are very accurate projections," Buchheit said.

Buchheit said HMG Engineers has conducted numerous water projects for many years and tends to make conservative projections for future-year projects.

"Even if these numbers are not conservative enough and the city only saved $8 million over 40 years, it's worth exploring," Buchheit said.

Those potential savings may be a moot point, though, because of the city's new contract.

Harper said he does not understand why the city voted to enter into a new contract before the water feasibility study was finished.

"I opposed it at the time, and I remain opposed to it," Harper said. "It doesn't make sense why we would spend $40,000, which was a $20,000 savings over the last water feasibility study, and then sign a new contract before we got the results of this study."

Mayor John McPeek, meanwhile, said he believes the money spent on the study was not wasted.

He said the fact the city was researching new water sources resulted in a better deal with Saline Valley.

"I think the water study is very valuable. First of all, it's very important that we know this is an option if we ever need another water source," McPeek said. "And, we were serious about finding a new water source, and I think that's why Saline Valley came back with a better offer than they initially gave us."

He also said that while the projected savings are substantial, time is an unknown factor in such a project.

"You're talking about acquiring property in the right location, then getting proper permits and approval from IEPA for the project. This isn't something that can be done overnight.

"And, the current contract was nearly up and the city needs water," McPeek said.

A copy of the report may be found on the city's water and sewer website, www.thecityofharrisburgil.com/water-and-sewer, under the category "Harrisburg Water Feasibility Study."