Water rates going up in Glen Ellyn

Glen Ellyn residents will pay more for water after the village board unanimously approved a 10 percent rate increase.

Village Manager Steve Jones said Tuesday the town needs the boost to offset its increased cost of water and to pay for its "very aggressive" infrastructure replacement program.

As the village works to improve its roads, Jones said construction crews have used the opportunity to fix portions of aging infrastructure in an effort to avoid potential problems such as collapsing sewer mains.

One side effect of that effort, however, is an imbalance in the water fund that forced the use of $1.9 million in cash reserves.

The rate hike takes effect almost immediately and residents can expect to see it in their June water bills. Residents currently pay a water and sewer rate of $9.94 per 1,000 gallons; they now will pay $10.94 per 1,000 gallons.

On May 1, the village began to pay 22 percent more to the DuPage Water Commission for its Lake Michigan water, going from $1.70 to $2.08 per 1,000 gallons, an estimated annual expense of $360,000. The increase is partially to cover the commission's own financial gaffes but also passes on the final year of a three-year rate increase imposed by Chicago on towns that use lake water.

Additionally, the village will contribute more to the Glenbard Wastewater Authority as it pays for the new St. Charles Road Lift Station.

The village was left with no choice but to raise the rates even as residents struggle in a down economy, Jones said.

The result of the rate hike is an increase that leaves the average resident with a bill of $87.45 per month, up from the current average household's $79.50 bill. It marks the first increase in Glen Ellyn since a 31/2 percent jump in June of 2008.