Politics & Government

Darien Water Rates Will Stay the Same For Now

On Jan. 1, the City of Chicago and the DuPage Water Commission increased the amount Darien is charged for water it receives from Lake Michigan by 34 percent.

While residents in several area municipalities are starting the new year paying more for their water and sewer rates, Darien citizens will not see an increase until May.

On Jan. 1, the city of Chicago and the DuPage Water Commission increased the amount is charged for water it receives from Lake Michigan by 34 percent.

Darien gets its water from the DuPage Water Commission, which receives it from the city of Chicago. In the fall Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced an increase in its rates over the next four years to pay for upgrades in the city’s water delivery system. Chicago increased its rates by 25 percent for 2012 and will increase rates by another 15 percent for each of the next three years.

The DuPage Water Commission transfers and sells water from Lake Michigan to 24 municipalities and unincorporated areas in the county. The commission’s funding comes from the sale of the water plus a quarter-cent countywide sales tax.

Last year, Darien paid $2.04 per 1,000 gallons of water. That number is going up to $2.73, said Assistant City Administrator Scott Coren.

“We have to figure out how to make up that difference,” he said.

But because of Darien’s financial position, officials will be able to maintain water rates at their current level for a few more months.

“We have enough flexibility in our fund balance to be able to get to May 1 without increasing the rates for our residents,” Coren said.

May 1 is the beginning of the city's next budget cycle.

What increase Darien residents could see in the water and sewer rates beginning in May is still being determined.

“It really depends on how we’re going to structure the increase. That’s a (City) Council decision that will take place during the budget discussions,” Coren said.

Budget talks begin next month.

The DuPage Water Commission is expected to increase its rates by 20 percent in 2013, 18 percent in 2014, and 17 percent in 2015, to pay off a $70 million debt.

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