Barrington could double water and sewer rates by 2034 to offset capital costs

Barrington residents could see significant increases in their water and sewer bills beginning next year as the village tries to keep healthy utility reserves while meeting the cost of major infrastructure projects.

The village faces close to $100 million in capital expenses, including upgrades to its wastewater treatment plant and replacements of its iron filtration system and lead service lines.

Jim Landini and Alyson Walz with the engineering consulting firm Baxter & Woodman shared the results of a water rate study with village trustees on Monday.

“Basically, the goal of this is to figure out how do you pay for capital improvements while making it equitable and affordable for the rate payers,” Landini said.

According to the study, if the village makes no additional rate adjustments beyond the planned 5% annual increases, its utility fund balance would decline as it takes on capital and debt costs. The village could fall below its reserve goals by the end of the decade.

The consultants presented trustees with four options, with village staff leaning toward an eight-year plan that splits the increases between fixed and usage-based charges. For the first four years, there would be an annual 11% increase to the usage-based water and sewer rates and a $7.90 yearly hike to the fixed capital improvement charge, which is now at $8.85 per month.

For the remaining four years, there would be no increase to the capital charge and water and sewer rate increases would return to 5%. Over that eight-year period, the 5% annual increase to the base charge would remain in place.

The monthly bill for a household using 5,000 gallons would go from about $120 this year to nearly $238 in 2034. Customers consuming 3,000 gallons per month would see an increase from roughly $84 to about $172.

Commercial users consuming 75,000 gallons per month with a three-inch meter that pay about $1,562 now would pay $2,831 by 2034.

Trustee Brian Prigge raised a concern on the impact on local business.

“If we’re trying to attract all these restaurants and we’re adding a bunch of water usage charges, that’s a big expense,” he said.

Village staff is expected to bring back an ordinance for the board, with new rates targeted for the beginning of next year.

szalusky@dailyherald.com