Oak Forest Raises Water Rates To Fund Water System Repairs: City

OAK FOREST, IL — Oak Forest residents may notice a change in their water and sewer rates starting May 1, officials told Patch.

According to city officials, rates will increase next month to cover the cost of replacing aging water and sewer mains. Additionally, the city is facing a 5 percent increase from the City of Chicago, who supplies Oak Forest with water.

City documents state water rates will increase from $9.81 per 1,000 gallons to $10.33 per 1,000 gallons — a $.52 increase — for the first 25,000 gallons used. This is also known as Tier 1.

Tier 2 will increase from $11.02 per 1,000 gallons to $11.61 per 1,000 gallons — a $.59 increase —for usage above 25,000 gallons.

However, sewer rates will decrease from $2.18 to $2.12 per 1,000 gallons.

"The base-rate increase is necessary to help fund projects totaling $23 million as outlined in the city's water system master plan," wrote Finance Director Colleen Julian in a press release. "Replacing our aging water and sewer mains as well as restoring our lift and pump stations are essential to maintaining a system that provides safe water and sanitary sewer utilities."

The quarterly water base fee per individual meter will increase from $15 to $30 while the fee for multi-family unit buildings serviced by one water meter will increase from $5 to $10. For seniors, ages 65 and up, the quarterly base rate will increase from $15 to $20.

According to Julian, the updated rates will generate the city half a million dollars each year. City officials told Patch they plan to add those funds to money received from the American Rescue Plan to total $7.5 million for capital improvement projects.

For residents who want to shut their water off, the fee will increase from $60 to $120.

Learn more at the village website.