An ongoing spat over water rates between the villages of Niles and Glenview edged closer to a resolution Monday when a Cook County judge ruled Niles must turn over water documents to Glenview by Feb. 27, according to Glenview officials.

The ruling means Glenview staff members would be able to comb through documents to determine what led Niles officials to set particular water rates for Glenview-owned North Main Utilities, according to Glenview spokeswoman Lynne Stiefel.

The utility, which is owned by the village of Glenview, purchases water from Niles to serves about 44,000 residents of unincorporated Maine Township.

Niles officials alleged in a June 2011 lawsuit filed in Cook County Chancery Court that Glenview owed the utility two months of bills totaling about $700,000.

Glenview officials said that the money in question was placed into an escrow account because of a dispute that had already been brewing. Niles had been overcharging for the water by violating a longstanding agreement and tacking on sewer charges, Glenview officials said.

Since then, Glenview has deposited about $3 million into the account while the dispute has played out in court, according to Stiefel.

Glenview counter-sued Niles in July 2011, alleging that Niles officials inadvertently acknowledged overcharging by repealing a rebate program for a handful of North Maine customers within the Niles village limits.

An audit of Niles’ water records requested by Glenview had been postponed indefinitely, and Niles attempted to have Glenview’s counterclaim dismissed. In December, Cook County Judge Rita Novak denied Niles’ motion.

The next court hearing also is scheduled for Feb. 27.