DuPage Water Commission keeps water rate flat

The price most DuPage County towns pay for water will stay the same, despite higher costs for the agency that supplies them with Lake Michigan water.

Members of the DuPage Water Commission on Thursday decided to keep the agency's water rate flat as part of its roughly $130 million budget for the fiscal year starting May 1.

"With everything going on right now, we figured we're going to try to help out," Commission Chairman Jim Zay said Friday.

The commission, which provides lake water to 28 DuPage municipalities and agencies, will continue to charge its customers $4.97 per 1,000 gallons.

Zay said the agency opted against a rate hike even though Chicago has increased the rate it charges the commission.

Chicago is charging the agency 10 cents more per 1,000 gallons, according to Zay. But instead passing along a price increase, the commission will spend an estimated $2 million in reserve cash to pay for the higher cost.

"We're able to do this because of our financial planning," Zay said. "We do have a good amount in reserve."

In total, the commission is planning to spend more than $106 million to purchase water from Chicago during the coming fiscal year.

The commission has increased its water rate by only 2 cents per 1,000 gallons since January 2015, officials said.

While the commission will keep the water rate flat for its municipal customers, it doesn't mean those towns won't increase their prices for residents.