Cooperation between the City of Niles and Niles Township has been tough sledding for the past several years.

But both city and township officials are happy to have reached a water agreement that they have been working on for a decade.

The city council unanimously approved the agreement Monday, while the township unanimously voted for the deal at its meeting last week.

Under the 30-year agreement, the city will supply water to township customers at a rate of 1.6 times what city customers pay.

Township Supervisor Jim Kidwell was in attendance of the city meeting and expressed his gratitude to the city.

“We’ve been trying to break barriers with the city,” he said. “Our fire departments are working more closely now. We’re working on the trail system together and now this water agreement. Thank you.”

The City of Niles already has water agreements with Bertrand and Howard Townships.