It's Official -- Water/Sewer Rate Hike Kicks in May 1

The second of what is expected to be three years of water/sewer rate hikes kicks in on May 1, following the approval of the Board Monday.

For most families, the increase will be about $4.52 a month, depending on water consumption.

The increase is unavoidable, Village Administrator Brian Murphy said, predicated by a 44 percent rate increase during the past three years charged by the city of Chicago, which provides Lake Michigan water to Plainfield.

"(The hike) gets us to a 'less-bad' position," said Murphy, who announced in January that a water rate hike was anticipated for this year. "Without it, we would be operating the water fund in a deficit situation."

Before moving to escalate rates, however, the village made large cuts to the water/wastewater budget, including a 20 percent reduction in department personnel and a 12 percent overall budget reduction, he said. Operational changes, including the closure of the south wastewater plant, saved $250,000 a year.

"We'll have to take a look at a rate increase again next year (in order to keep the budget in the black)," Murphy said. "Our hope is Chicago will keep its rate where it is now."

The average customer uses about 900 cubic feet of water a month, village statistics show. Under the current rate, that translates into $38.16 for water, $21.24 for sewer and $5 for capital improvements -- adding up to a monthly total of $64.40.

With the increase, those numbers climb to $39.42 for water, $22.50 for sewer and $7 for capital improvements, for a total of $68.92 a month and an increase of $4.52.

Trustee Larry Kachel asked whether there were any options available to charge customers more if they use water for non-essential purposes, such as lawn sprinkling, or to reward people who take measures to save water.

Murphy said the village is exploring the purchase of new meters that keep track of water usage by using magnetic flow technology rather than a fly wheel, which can stop "running true" over time. Employing such technology, the village might be able to offer reduced rates depending on the time of day that water is used, the time of year and other factors, he said.

"The whole idea of trying to (promote) conservation, to get people people to use water at off hours, is something we want to encourage," Murphy said.

The lone vote against the rate increase was cast by Trustee Garrett Peck, who offered no explanation during the meeting but said later that he felt village officials had not done enough to explore new income sources before going for a rate increase.