C-U: Diplomacy comes before a water plant buyout

CHAMPAIGN – While the talk in recent months has been about Champaign and Urbana possibly using eminent domain to buy the local water system, city officials say that won't be their first step.

Before pursuing any buyout of local Illinois American Water assets, the cities will first try to negotiate an agreement where the water company would commit to making investments in improving the water system and would abide by measurable service standards, said Steve Carter, Champaign's city manager.

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