The Northern Will County Water Agency last week filed an eminent domain lawsuit in its attempt to gain control of a water pipeline owned by American Lake Water Company, the utility company the agency accused of hiking rates for profit over the last decade.

The lawsuit, filed Jan. 25 by the five communities that make up the agency — Bolingbrook, Lemont, Woodridge, Romeoville and Homer Glen, attempts to take control of the 30-mile Bedford Park transmission line that brings water from Bedford Park to the southwest suburbs, including the five towns in the agency, via eminent domain.

Eminent domain gives power to government bodies to seize private property without owner’s consent.