Connection of Pekara Water System to Lake Michigan Water

Today, local officials celebrated the latest milestone in expanding access to Lake Michigan water in Lake County. The Pekara Water System, which includes more than 3,700 Lake County Public Works customers in the Pekara, Inverrary and Horatio Gardens neighborhoods in the Buffalo Grove area, will begin receiving Lake Michigan water in the coming weeks as the system transitions from well water.

While the existing well system meets all Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, residents have long expressed concerns about water taste, odor and hardness. The existing well infrastructure is also not sustainable for long-term use and would require significant investment to upgrade.

The project to connect the Pekara system to Lake Michigan water was made possible by $1.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated by the Lake County Board.

Through a new 20-year agreement between Lake County and the Village of Buffalo Grove, water will be provided via the Northwest Water Commission. Benefits of the switch include:

• A long-term, reliable water source to serve the system for decades
• Improved water taste and odor

• Reduced mineral content, such as sodium and iron

• Less wear on plumbing and household appliances

• Elimination of the need for water softeners

Lake County Public Works thanks the residents of the Pekara, Inverrary and Horatio Gardens neighborhoods for their patience during construction. The water system changeover is expected to take place in the coming weeks.

Learn more about the project by visiting the project website.