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1. How much does it cost?

Every SSA is unique and the individual cost per property is contingent upon how many properties are in the SSA, the value of the property, and other infrastructure costs. The cost of the SSA is amortized over a period of time decided upon through the SSA, usually twenty years.

2. What is the process to get city water supplied to my property?

Property owners interested in City supplied water need to pursue the creation of a Special Service Area. The number of interested properties, how the properties are arranged, and the properties' location to the City's existing water infrastructure are all factors determining the creation of a Special Service Area.

3. Can we keep our well if we switch to City water?

Yes. Residents can have both a well and/or hook up to a municipal water connection (SSA6, Lake Claire/Shire)

4. Who pays for the SSA?

The cost for the improvement is only distributed among those properties residing within the defined SSA.

5. Who determines if the SSA is approved?

After the legal requirements of a SSA are completed, the SSA is presented to the City Council for approval or denial. If approved, the City Council adopts a City ordinance proposing the establishment of the SSA.

6. What would be the cost of bringing water from the street into the home?

Average cost of a water hook-up from the street to each home is estimated to be between $1,000 and $5,000 depending on the actual distance of the pipe. The material specified, and the number of obstacles and amount of landscape restoration needed to complete the job.

7. How much would the monthly water bill be?

The monthly cost of water would be determined by three elements:
a. The wholesale cost per gallon.
b. The cost of transmission.
c. The cost of system maintenance.

8. What are the main water transmission infrastructure costs?

These costs depend upon a number of factors. The type of infrastructure used, the amount of infrastructure needed to supply an area and the location of the area in regards to an existing water supply and the infrastructure needed to connect the supply.

For strictly informational purposes only, if the entire City were to acquire Lake Michigan water, the total infrastructure piping system for Prospect Heights would require 271,756 feet of piping (75,075 feet of 12”; 8,824 feet of 10”; and 187,857 feet of 8”). A total of 164 fire hydrants would be required. Approximately 2,500 buffalo boxes would be required - one in front of each home or business. A 1,000,000 gallon water storage tower would be required, giving the Prospect Heights Water System 1-1/2 days of supply. Two tanks at Rob Roy would be retained; each holding 250.000 gallons.

The 2013 Baxter and Woodman estimate for City-wide municipal water would cost approximately $80,879,000.