Water Rate Increase Likely For Western Springs

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — Infrastructure improvement on the water system in Western Springs will continue in 2019, and an increase in water rates is likely, according to Village President Alice Gallagher.

The village board has decided that an increase to the water/sewer rate is necessary to fund upgrades to the water system, according to Gallagher. In her President's Corner message, she shares the board is considering increasing the water rate from $12 to $14 per 1,000 gallons, which would be effective on Jan. 1. Another increase being considered is the Capital Maintenance Fee by $2.50 per bill.

"This new combined water/sewer rate continues to be in line with that of neighboring communities who rely on Lake Michigan water (La Grange, La Grange Park, Indian Head Park, Clarendon Hills), while our annual service charge remains considerably lower," Gallagher said.

The proposed rate increase will pay for water and sewer infrastructure projects going forward
without deficit spending, according to Gallagher. The water system in Western Springs is aging and many portions have or are reaching the end of their useful life.

The current water system in Western Springs includes one emergency shallow well, two deep wells, the low-pressure reverse osmosis plant, three storage tanks and approximately 52 miles of water main. Gallagher shares in her President's Corner message that it is necessary to construct a third deep well.

"Once completed, this third deep well will build redundancy into our water source system, so that we can permanently cap off the one remaining shallow well (built in 1924 and containing water with a high mineral content)," Gallagher said. "As you can imagine, the cost of building a new well is substantial, and we will take advantage of a low-interest loan through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to fund the project."

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