Darien Ups Water Rates For 1st Time Since 2016

DARIEN, IL – Darien households will see a 12 percent increase in water bills under a measure that the City Council approved Monday. One alderman dissented.

Now, residents using 5,000 gallons of water a month will see a $12.50 increase in their water bills, totaling $120.

The city said it is the first rate hike since 2016.

If the city had continued with the current rates, it would have seen its water fund balance dwindle to an amount equivalent to a month's worth of operating costs, City Administrator Bryon Vana told the council.

Experts recommend a water utility not let its balance drop to such a low amount, Vana said. The city aims to have enough money to pay for three months of costs, he said.

"This is really primarily for operations, equipment and things like that," Vana said.

The council voted 4-1 for the increase, with Alderman Eric Gustafson dissenting and aldermen Joe Kenny and Mary Sullivan absent.

In an email to Patch on Wednesday, Gustafson said the DuPage Water Commission did not raise its rates to Darien at a level to justify increasing local rates.

"I have a lot of retired residents in my ward where every dollar increase is important," the alderman said. "If and when repairs are needed and Darien needs the funds, then an increase could be determined. It's all about keeping costs to residents down."

The higher water rates will not keep up with inflation, which has risen 33 percent since 2016.