Des Plaines fighting second hit on residents' water bills

Nearly 1,000 residents in one Des Plaines neighborhood are facing a water bill increase on top of the increases already leveled by the city of Chicago.

Waycinden neighborhood residents would be affected by the proposed 6 percent increase. They get their water through the private utility Illinois American Water, which buys Lake Michigan water from the city of Des Plaines.

Des Plaines aldermen will legally contest the proposal before the Illinois Commerce Commission, which will have to OK the rate increase.

Des Plaines joins other municipalities -- including Bolingbrook, Champaign and Peoria -- in challenging rate increases proposed by Illinois American Water.

"We're concerned about the rate that Waycinden residents already pay for water," City Attorney David Wiltse said. "So, we're doubly concerned about an increase."

The company is seeking the 6 percent increase for all its Chicago-area customers. Other areas of the state face a steeper increase under Illinois American's plans, including a nearly 60 percent hike proposed in Champaign.

For Waycinden residents, the proposal will mean an extra $2.73 a month.

But Des Plaines is passing on the Chicago rate increases for Lake Michigan water to Illinois American Water, so Waycinden residents are feeling that, too.

Starting Jan. 1, Chicago's water customers saw a 15 percent increase. Another 15 percent increase will take effect Jan. 1, 2009, with a 14 percent hike the next year.

Illinois American Water filed the request for its increase last year. The company needs the extra money to cover operating costs, including labor and chemicals, said Kevin Hillen, its network operations manager.

"Our feeling is the expenses and investment are prudent, and rates proposed are reasonable," Hillen said.

The commission is expected to make a decision by this summer.