Oswego Gets Permit To Use Lake Michigan Water After Year-Long Process

OSWEGO, IL — After a year-long process, the Village of Oswego was granted its Lake Michigan Water Allocation Permit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, officials announced.

In order to get permission to tap Lake Michigan water, Oswego had to meet several criteria, including providing evidence that the aquifer it currently uses is no longer able to meet the village's needs and that the other water source alternatives are not as viable.

The permit will allow the project to move to the next steps and keep on track for completion by 2027, officials said. Earlier this summer, the Village Board approved money for the engineering phase that will be accomplished over the next two years to further refine cost projections.

"We're excited to receive the permit to access Lake Michigan water from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources," Village President Ryan Kauffman said in a statement. "The Board and staff are committed to finding additional funding sources to help offset the costs of this important project."

RELATED: Oswego's Drinking Water Supply Could Run Out By 2050: Village

Yorkville, Montgomery and Oswego teamed up to secure a new water source for the region after news broke in early 2020 that the region's current water source, a deep groundwater aquifer, would be at severe risk of depletion and no longer able to meet the maximum daily water demand between 2030 and 2050, Patch reported.

Officials chose Lake Michigan as the new water source in late 2022. The water will be sourced to the community via the DuPage Water Commission, which has provided water to its customers since 1992.

The recommendation was made based on the quality and sustainability of Lake Michigan water and its proximity to the existing DuPage Water Commission system, which will provide the lowest combined total cost of a new water source for the three communities, Patch reported.

Oswego's share of the project is currently estimated to be about $73 million. Officials said they are continuing to find ways to offset the cost with federal grants and low-interest loans as well as continued revenue from the village's real estate transfer tax that was approved by referendum in 2022.

Under the tax, people who buy residential or commercial properties within Oswego will pay the village 0.3 percent — or $3 per $1,000 — of the purchase price. For example, the transfer tax on property with a $300,000 purchase price would be $900.

It's expected to generate more than $500,000 a year to help pay for the new water source project, Patch reported.

RELATED: Real Estate Transfer Tax Referendum Passed By More Than 60% Of Voters