Naperville water rates heading up

Naperville residents may be seeking some assistance from Mother Nature for the next several summers to keep their lawns green and lush.

City council members on Tuesday, May 3, are expected to approve a 29 percent water rate increase that could boost the average monthly bill for water and wastewater service to $63 after June 1.

City Manager Doug Krieger acknowledged the “significant amount” of the increase but said the utility fell victim to the downturn of the economy in 2007 and a reduction in revenues stemming from four consecutive “unseasonably cool and wet” summers.

“Because the utility is an enterprise fund that is meant to sustain itself, we cannot just transfer money into it,” Krieger said. “Water rates have risen 35 percent since 2008 and the DuPage Water Commission said there are more (increases) to come. So far we’ve been able to incur the costs on the city’s end by cutting expenses.”

Despite deep budget cuts, including a 16 percent staff reduction, the water and wastewater utility has a $8.6 million deficit.

Additional increases of between 3 percent and 4 percent are also scheduled for fiscal years 2013-2016 to generate enough revenue to fully fund the utility and eliminate the deficit.

According to a residential water rate study commissioned by the city, the combined water and wastewater utility bill for an average resident using 8,000 gallons per month would increase $14.08, from $48.89 to $62.97.

The proposed increase would rank Naperville sixth-lowest of 15 neighboring communities. According to the study, Warrenville has the lowest combined average bill at $16.83 and Bolingbrook tops the 15-municipality list with an average combined bill of $127.77.

“It’s going to be a noticeable increase to residents but the numbers are still pretty competitive when compared to some of our neighbors,” Krieger said.

Council members will consider the increase at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Naperville city hall, 400 S. Eagle St.