DuPage Water Rates Increasing

From a Village of Woodridge news release:

Effective January 1, 2013, residents that receive wastewater treatment services from DuPage County will experience an increase in their bill.

For the average user (11,000 gallons bi-monthly), this will represent approximately a $5, or 13 percent, increase in their bill. For more information on your wastewater bill, visit DuPage County's Public Works page. 

Woodridge water customers receive Lake Michigan water through three systems, the City of Chicago, DuPage County Water Commission, and Woodridge water systems.

As with all goods and services the cost to produce, deliver, and treat water, including maintaining and replacing infrastructure, is on the rise. On January 1, 2013, the City of Chicago raised water rates another 22 percent.

The DuPage Water Commission is passing this increase along to their customers, which includes Woodridge. With these increased costs facing the Woodridge water system, the rates for Woodridge customers will also increase.

Beginning with November 2012 consumption, the following rates will be in effect:
• Customer Service Charge: Increase of 10 percent. This is a fixed fee based on your meter size. Please visit the Village website for a complete list of meter sizes and rates.
• Sewer Maintenance Fee: $0.60 per 1,000 gallons.
• Water Rate: $6.07 per 1,000 gallons.

For an average household using 5,500 gallons per month (or 11,000 gallons per bi-monthly billing cycle), this will be an increase of approximately $5.50 per month, or $66 per year.

"We know this can be a hardship for individuals. We encourage you to research and learn more about water conservation. Water conservation strategies can be found on the Village website under the Public Works Department Tab," the village news release states. "The Village continues to work diligently to keep water rates as low as possible while at the same time maintaining a high quality of service."

A recent survey of DuPage communities, Woodridge's rates were one of the lowest. Water and sewer fund operating expenses, capital needs, and customer usage are continuously analyzed to ensure that a stable water fund is in place to meet these objectives.