Illinois American Water seeking rate increase

WOODRIDGE - Illinois American Water has filed a request with the Illinois Commerce Commission to adjust its water and wastewater base rates following an extensive examination of investments to provide safe and reliable water and wastewater service, the utility company said.

The request is driven primarily by more than $1.1 billion in completed or planned investment - $948 million in water system improvements and approximately $204 million in wastewater system improvements - across the state from 2018 through 2023.

The filing is a necessary first step in the 11-month ICC rate review process; rates are not changing at this time. Any new rates would not become effective until early 2023.

Illinois American Water is based in Belleville, near St. Louis, but has offices and operations in Woodridge and South Beloit. It is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing water and wastewater services to approximately 1.3 million people.

Investments include the replacement, lining and installation of approximately 141 miles of aging water and wastewater pipelines. Investments also include upgrading water and wastewater treatment plants, storage tanks, wells, pumping stations, fire hydrants, meters, manholes and more across the state.

If approved, the typical bill for a residential customer would increase between $6 and $14 per month, and the typical residential wastewater bill would increase between $7 and $17 per month, depending on the service area, the company said.