By Andrea Arens
Aqua finalized the sale of Peotone’s water system in October of 2018 for $12M.
It took them almost six years to create a timeline for the source switch thanks to the University Park lead water fiasco and while Aqua entered into a deal with the Illinois Attorney General; University Park still isn’t pleased, and they’re still receiving bottled water.
At the June 10 village board meeting, Aqua Illinois President David Carter gave a presentation for the rollout of the source switch they’re hoping will occur in September. He said they hadn’t quite received the IL EPA permit yet, but it was in the works.
In the presentation, Carter also listed a number of investments in Peotone, including everything from the water tower, to water to the west side of I-57, to water main repairs – for millions in additional cost.
Carter also said significant water testing will be conducted in both fall and spring, which includes a sampling of 40 homes. Those homes are chosen by whether they have lead service pipes to the home, galvanized pipe to the home, or lead tin solder inside the home. Homes with those types of pipes were built before 1986, and participants can volunteer for a gift card but the testing does require not using water for six hours.
An additional 10 homes identified with lead pipes or solder will be tested monthly for lead till June of 2025. Also, the IL EPA requires Aqua to provide a filter to any customer upon request.
Carter said, “You can rest easy the water you’ll be drinking will be of very fine quality for consumption.”
Everyone knew the price would increase but there was definite sticker shock when the price increase slide was revealed.
Aqua rates will vary by meter, and the usage rate will increase from $2.23 to $7.57 per 1,000 gallon. The average consumption is about 4,400 gallons per month, with that increase the new water bill would be about $64, and the wastewater side would be about $72/$73.
Trustee Jackie Richards said, “I heard on average our bills are going to triple.” Carter confirmed that yes, it’s three times the current cost.
Aqua does offer some temporary assistance for customers struggling to pay their bill and a low income program was submitted for approval to the ICC with the rate increase. Those struggling to pay are encouraged to contact Aqua.
Richards also asked if softeners will still be needed. Carter said he could only speak for himself but that the water was significantly more “aesthetically pleasing.” Carter said it’s comparable to Lake Michigan water, and a softener shouldn’t be needed.
Once the source switches and Aqua collects their current rates, they have a rate increase pending with the Illinois Commerce Commission. They requested a 13 percent increase and Carter said the initial response from the Illinois Commerce Commission was 60 percent of Aqua’s ask, or an additional 7 percent increase.
So if your water bill increases to $136, expect an additional $10 after Aqua’s rate increase. The overall increase for the company would net $19.2M to their $498.2M in profits in 2023.
But their ask isn’t a done deal because University Park and the Citizen’s Utility Board filed testimony against Aqua’s proposed hike in May.
The Illinois Attorney General and the Will County State’s Attorney filed a consent order to end the lawsuit against Aqua for University Park, because they had met the lead testing requirements for the state during a six-month period.
University Park officials had disagreed with the consent order and court proceedings are scheduled to continue this month.