Waukesha Lake Water Proposals Discussed

Proposals to have Racine and Oak Creek sell Lake Michigan water to Waukesha go before the Waukesha Common Council Tuesday night for a closed-door discussion.

The process would make Waukesha the first city, outside the Great Lakes Basin, to receive lake water under a multi-state compact signed four years ago.

Dan Duchniak is General Manager of the Waukesha Water Utility. He says the proposals from Racine and Oak Creek would be a step toward ending Waukesha’s problems with drinking water pollution.

Duchniak says a final agreement with Racine or Oak Creek could be ready for Waukesha’s approval next month. He says Waukesha has not been negotiating with Milwaukee, because Milwaukee will not supply Lake Michigan water to all of Waukesha’s water service area.

Earlier estimates indicated it would be more expensive for Waukesha to get drinking water from Oak Creek or Racine, and return treated wastewater through those communities.