The City of Elmhurst will be increasing water rate, sewer rate, and capital investment recovery charges effective for usage billed on or after January 3, 2017.

The financial impact of the rate projects an average four-person household to see a 12.6% increase overall, with an average cost of $113.68 per month for water and sewer services in 2017, compared to $100.96 in 2016. Although these costs are expected to increase over time, the rate of increase in the water and sewer rates is projected to decline over the next five years due to capital improvements and efficiency.

Factors that have contributed to this rate increase includes the following:

• Operating and maintenance activities and capital improvements in order to continue to provide excellent quality services and high quality drinking water
• Increased watermain and sanitary sewer replacement costs
• Recovery of annual debt service costs for capital investments
• A two-year water meter replacement project which will increase efficiency in meter reading and billing process
• The City’s need to achieve a cash reserve (rainy day fund) in the Municipal Utility Fund by 2019