Tinley Hikes Water Fees For Old Meters And Shut Offs

TINLEY PARK, IL — Water got a little pricier in Tinley Tuesday night for residents who have not replaced outdated water meters and for those who have had their water service shut off.

Tinley will now charge residents who have not replaced old meters with the village's new system a $200 fee each billing cycle to cover those costs and encourage compliance. Village officials will send those homeowners a warning by Priority Mail.

Tinley has replaced nearly all water meters with digital systems, but about 2 percent of residents have declined them or could not be reached, officials said. The new systems permit the meters to be read electronically. However, the old ones still require a manual read and are under-registering or not recording consumption at all. Maintenance and labor is more expensive, in part because the remaining few are scattered across the village, village officials said.

Trustees Tuesday night also amended a related ordinance so that if noncompliance for inspection or maintenance continues, officials also can shut water service off for those residents.

Trustees also steeply increased the fee to reinstate water service. Those who have to turn their service back on will now pay $150, up from $25. Official said the new fee more accurately reflects labor and equipment costs to turn water on after a shut off.