Wheaton water rate increase effective Jan. 1

Water rates in Wheaton will increase beginning Jan. 1, city officials said.

Earlier this year, the Wheaton City Council approved the increase to support infrastructure improvements and offset increased rates for water charged by Chicago and the DuPage Water Commission.

Chicago increased the amount it charges for Lake Michigan water by 25 percent. To address that increase and its own financial needs, the DuPage Water Commission — which supplies water to Wheaton and many other communities — is raising its rates by 30 percent.

Wheaton's new water rate will go from $2.65 per 100 cubic feet of water used to $3.45. That means a Wheaton resident who uses an average 1,200 cubic feet of water, or 9,000 gallons, per month will see their bill increase by $9.60.

According to a news release, portions of the city's water system are more than 60 years old. A 2012 study identified $8 million in capital improvements to be made over five years.