Palatine water rates unaffected by Emanuel’s plan

Palatine officials reiterated this week that even if Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s first budget proposal passes with major water rate hikes for many suburban families, Palatine residents won’t see a change in their water bills.

The village, along with Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove and Wheeling, is part of the Northwest Water Commission and gets its potable water pumped from Evanston’s system.

Emanuel’s plan, which calls for rate hikes of 25 percent next year and 15 percent each of the following three years, only impacts communities that receive Lake Michigan water from Chicago. Emanuel said that additional revenue is needed to repair and replace aging water and sewer infrastructure.

Palatine Village Manager Reid Ottesen said that even with Palatine’s recent increases, only three communities have a lower water rate out of 50 area suburbs with Lake Michigan water.

He added that the water commission has 20-plus years remaining on a contract with Evanston with built-in price controls and extension clauses.

“We’re not in jeopardy of any of those increases you’re seeing from the city of Chicago right now,” Ottesen said. “I’d describe our relationship with Evanston a very good partnership.”