Water System Capital Plan And Restructure Approved

Press release from the Village of Lisle:

In October of last year, the Lisle Village Board authorized an agreement with Baxter & Woodman Inc. to perform a comprehensive water system analysis and a review of operational and capital costs, revenues, and the related services required to provide water and sewer service. The goal for this effort was to methodically plan for water system needs while analyzing the ability of water and sewer rates to provide sustainable financing.

To begin, engineers from Baxter & Woodman Inc. performed a comprehensive evaluation of the age and condition of water towers, treatment equipment, water mains, pipes, valves and other water system components. Based on the collected data, a 10-Year Water System Capital Improvement Plan was developed. The subsequent water and sewer rate analysis took into account needs identified in the plan, operational costs, water consumption history, and current water and sewer rates. Based on the analysis, a proposed restructuring of these rates to improve equity in the distribution of costs and support the system’s operational and capital needs into the future, while minimizing the associated costs, was developed.

“I am glad that the Village has been forward looking in maintaining and operating its water system,” stated Mayor Christopher Pecak. “The approved plan and corresponding equitable water and sewer rate structure will responsibly plan for the future while minimizing the costs for water system customers.”

The Ten Year Water System Capital Plan calls for $9 million in investments including the construction of 17,400 linear feet of water main, pump station improvements, the rehabilitation of emergency back-up wells, the performance of water system modeling and advancements in water meter infrastructure.

The approved water and sewer rate supports the Ten Year Water System Capital Plan and maintains the American Water Works Association recommended amount of funds to support capital and operational needs. Starting in May of 2021, water rates will be restructured to more equitably distribute the costs of the system and will include a fixed meter and volumetric rate. The existing minimum water charge will be eliminated, affording water customers greater ability to control costs by adjusting water use habits. The new water rate structure will minimize costs to Village customers (reducing costs for some user groups) and make efficient use of the generated revenue.

As part of the restructuring, rates do not increase until May 1, 2022 (with the exception of any pass through increases from the Village’s water supplier, the DuPage Water Commission). Beginning May 2022, and in the two years following, water and sewer rates will increase by 3% per year to sustain targeted fund balances.

The report, Water System Needs Assessment and Water and Sewer Rate Analysis, prepared by Baxter & Woodman can be found here.

Additional Background Information

This press release was produced by the Village of Lisle. The views expressed here are the author’s own.