Danville Alderman Tom Stone suggested earlier this month that the city look into buying the local water system. But Aqua Illinois Water Company Area Manager Bob Ervin told members of a city council committee last night (Tuesday). ‘’Our position is Aqua Illinois Water Company is not for sale. O.K. – and that is our official position,’’ said Ervin.
‘’I just wanted to state that the water company has been a private company here in Danville and Vermilion County since 1883. The name has changed a few times over the years, but we’re coming up on – next year it will be 135 years that we’ve been providing water service here to Danville and a lot of other communities in Vermilion County – and we’re very proud of that,’’ added Ervin.
And Ervin noted that if the City would purchase the water company it could adversely affect tax money that flows to some public entities. ‘’Property taxes alone, I believe we’re one of the top ten companies in town as far as the property taxes paid. And I know (School) District 118 gets well over half of that amount in the school district. And DACC and the other entities (would also be affected). So keep in mind the impact that has if that goes away. (And) community support – I think we’re very active in the community as well.’’
And Ervin emphasized Aqua Illinois has no plan to sell its system. ‘’We’re very committed to the system that we operate – not only in Danville but our other holdings. I think it’s evidenced by the investment we’ve made in our system. This year alone we will have invested close to four-and-a-half million dollars in new investment in our system – a lot of that replacement of infrastructure,’’ says Ervin.
Alderman Stone says all the operational advantages would be with the city if it decides to purchase the system. And he believes it could be a source of future funding for storm water improvements.
