Possible Water Rates by 2015

I was asked about the significance of the water rate increases contemplated by the City of Wheaton and the DuPage Water Commission.

If they do occur, expect three years of increases, just about doubling the cost of water for residents by 2015. In other words, I should probably begin planning a personal budget to deal with such an increase. If the city and county proceed, it will require I budget an additional $428.90 a year for water by 2015. Please note that most of the increase is by the DuPage Water Commission. This was detailed in the City of Wheaton press release, which is the previous post.

Here's a real world example, based on a recent water bill, and with the percentage increases from the Press Release, which is contained in the previous post:

• Monthly water bill in 2012 = $38.50
• Monthly water bill in 2013 after 30% increase =  $50.05
• Monthly water bill in 2014 after 25% increase = $62.56
• Monthly water bill in 2015 after 20% increase = $75.08.

So there you have it. Within three years, my water bill will possibly be about $37 each month higher than it is today. 

Is there anything we can do about this? Use less water is one thing to think about. Of course, we can petition the City Council and our local politicians, but that raises the question "where is this money to come from?" After all, a significant part of our water bill goes to the City of Chicago, and that fiscally teetering drunk to our east is in about as bad a financial shape as the State of Illinois is, overall. So we can expect to pay higher water rates as the City of Chicago increases the fees collected per gallon. However, these water rate increases are "to allow revenues to catch up with water system operating and maintenance expenses and to fund the full cost of operating and maintaining the water system."

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. And yes, this will raise the cost of water for our association. So watering shrubs, trees and keeping our streams running will cost about twice as much in 2015 as it did in 2012, unless some "miracle" occurs. 

I'm sure we'll have owners coming to association meetings or sending emails to the board and complaining "You should do something about this!"

Yes, as an owner in your association, if there is something to be done about this, I suggest YOU should be the one to do it! Oh, and by the way dear reader, this applies to any and all residents; who also use water. So, if this is a possible issue for the reader, I'd suggest meeting with the City Council. The City Council will continue discussing this, and attending these meetings as well as "Coffee with Council" is a wonderful way for owners to participate. The next "Coffee with Council" will be on Saturday, September 8 at 10:00am in the Gamon Room at Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley. According to the city "City Council members conduct Coffee with Council sessions at 10 a.m. Residents are invited to attend these informal sessions to discuss any item of interest with the Council."

Notes:

1. I'd suggest that owners be thankful that they aren't paying Chicago for water and sewer. 
2. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, sometimes called the "Rahmfather" was quoted in the Chicago Tribune as saying "Nearly half the cost of the water and the street repair will be (borne) by the suburban people who rely on the system....Chicago residents themselves won't be bearing that cost." In other words, you, dear reader, as a suburban uses of Chicago water, will be paying an unfair share and that will include Chicago street repairs. If you don't like it, contact the Mayor's Office in Chicago. I'm sure they'll tell you where to go. 
3. Here's a link to the original Chicago Tribune article: 

Chicago Tribune October 15, 2011

Chicago also gouges its citizens for water. How would you like to live in Chicago in a small bungalow and pay $339.43 for one month's water and sewer? That bungalow is about the size of one of our units. Compare that bill to your combined water and sewer bill. Here's a link to an older article in the Chicago Sun Times about how Chicago, by avoiding the use of water meters, has skewered many of its residents with unusually high water and sewer bills. There is no date on the article, but as it refers to Mayor Daley, it's obviously old.

Sun Times Chicago Water Rates