Water rates won’t rise this year in Plainfield
By Madhu Mayer Correspondent February 12, 2013 8:13AM
Updated: March 18, 2013 6:14AM
For those watching their pocketbooks, the village of Plainfield has good news.
Allen Persons, public works director, told the Plainfield Village Board on Monday that water/sewer rates will not increase for residents in the 2013-2014 fiscal year.
“While the village has taken a conservative approach to dealing with the costs incurred as a result of city of Chicago water rate increases in the past, we have utilized the same methodology as we developed the draft budget for the coming year,” said Persons.
In essence, Persons said the cost-saving measures implemented by the village will offset the pending Chicago water rate increase.
“As the board is well aware, the recently completed infrastructure improvements are designed to help make our facilities operate more efficiently,” he said.
Persons told the board that village employees have been able to reduce costs within the areas of electrical use, chemical use and contractual services. Plus, the village’s water loss is at an all-time low of 2 percent.
“After carefully considering the Chicago increase that we will incur in the coming year and the offsetting cost savings that have been implemented by our employees, we are pleased to report that the draft budget is balanced without the need to request a water/sewer rate increase from our residents,” he said.
While residents won’t see a rate hike on their water bills, Trustee Paul Fay reminded everyone to practice conservation as the water level in Lake Michigan continues to drop.
Resident Jim DiBiase said conservation is not the only reason why he limits his water usage.
“Truthfully, it gets really expensive,” he said. “It is not easy when you open your monthly water bill and it is $200 or more.”
