Hampshire to host May 9 open house on utility bill rate increases

The village of Hampshire will be hosting an open house on Thursday, May 9, to share information with Hampshire residents and businesses about needed water and sewer rate, and capital improvement fee increases that will be charged on the July 1, 2024, utility bills. It will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the village’s utilities facility, 350 Mill Ave.

The increases are necessary due to a substantial portion of the Hampshire water and sewer systems being at the end of their useful life. It will fund replacement or rehabilitation of critical infrastructure to prevent future water main breaks, boil orders, service interruptions and equipment failures.

This investment in the community will ensure all community members have access to clean, healthy drinking water and effective sewer treatment with no contamination.

In addition to replacing or rehabilitating infrastructure, the overarching goal is to ensure funds are available to properly maintain these systems well into the future.

“The village board and I understand any increases that affect household budgets are normally not well-received, but as a board we had to act so these vital systems are fortified and remain strong as Hampshire continues to grow and thrive,” said Village President Mike Reid. “We are all in this together, and we must sometimes make difficult decisions to keep our community strong and ensure it continues to be a desirable place to live, work and play.

Among the planned improvements are upgrades to aging pipes and enhancements for water treatment facilities, in addition to improving sewer/wastewater treatment processes.

The village also will upgrade 2.652 miles of 4-inch and 3.977 miles of 6-inch water mains to ensure consistent service, water flow, and pressure.

The rate increases were only considered after considerable due diligence was performed by the village, including the completion of a utility rate study by village engineers, as well a master utility plan that determined current rates are insufficient to support needed improvements.

All community members are invited to attend the open house to ask questions and get more information from village engineers and public works staff about these increases. More information can be found on the village’s FAQ page at hampshireil.org/utility-master-plan.