TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) - Toledo city council is expected to make a decision Tuesday that could impact the region for decades.
The council will be voting to put a city charter change on the ballot for a Regional Water Commission.
But, as this vote approaches, many of the contract communities are still exploring other options, and aren't sold on what Toledo is offering with this plan.
All of the suburban leaders were on board with the original Toledo Area Water Authority (TAWA) plan, but since it has changed to the Regional Water Commission, many of them have threatened to go elsewhere for their water.
Maumee Mayor Richard Carr had strong words on Monday for Toledo leaders on the topic.
He said that he is moving forward with other plans, and tomorrow's vote doesn't mean as much as it used to.
Carr said that a couple of the amendments just added to the Regional Water Commission is all about Toledo having more control.
This includes allowing Toledo city council 45 days to veto rates instead of 30, and saying a Toledo representative has to be the president or secretary of the Regional Water Commission board.
Carr believes that the Michindoh Aquifer is a real option for Maumee, along with nine other suburbs.
Earlier this month, representatives met with other area leaders to discuss an agreement with Artesian of Pioneer.
The entities would own the facility, and form their own regional water authority.
Carr said that the logistics would almost be the exact same as the Toledo Area Water Authority, but Toledo wouldn't be a part of it.
"For some reason, they don't want to believe that we are moving forward and we can't control that, that is their decision to make.They continue to want to have regional control instead of regional cooperation. We worked for 18 months to reach that agreement, then they just come in and say we're not even going to discuss it anymore," said Carr of Toledo leaders.
Carr said that it's a shame it's gotten to this point with Toledo, because in the beginning, they came together and said that they wanted to take politics out of it.
Many neighbors in Pioneer have had concerns about these Toledo suburbs looking to their community for water.
"Well I think if I lived there, I'd have concerns too. We had received a report that stated that Bryan had a study done a few years ago, and that report said there is more than sufficient water for generations to come, that it constantly is refilling itself like a river or lake does," said Carr.
Carr said that they are still doing their own independent study because they aren't trying to create any problems for people who live in that area.
He believes there is sufficient water.
"If there is plenty of water, it's good quality water, and it's less expensive, I believe the communities are ready to proceed," said Carr.
Currently, the group is working on getting the green light from the EPA to drill test wells through permits.
Then they are hoping to work on precise numbers for water rates, depending on how many entities are on board.
The potential partners are expected to meet again in September.
Carr also said that Bowling Green is still an option for Maumee, Perrysburg, and the Northwestern Water and Sewer District.
Toledo city council is holding a special meeting on Tuesday right before their regularly scheduled meeting to vote on the Regional Water Commission.
Then, the Protect Our Water Coalition, including former Mayor Carty Finkbeiner will hold a press conference following the vote.
