The Village’s Water and Sewer Fund is an Enterprise Fund that operates in a manner similar to a private business. The intent is that the cost of providing water and sewer services to the community will be recovered primarily through user charges (i.e. water bills). The rates should be sufficient to cover the current costs of operations, maintenance, administration, and future capital needs within the Water and Sewer Fund.

In order to continue to provide safe and reliable water, and maintain our water infrastructure, the 2.9% water rate increase received from the City of Chicago Heights will be passed on to residents beginning March 1 (January water usage).

By switching suppliers in 2022 from Chicago/Harvey water to Hammond/Chicago Heights water, our water rate is set for 25 years with a minimum of 1% and maximum of 3% increase per year. The City of Chicago, on average, has raised their rate 4.5% over the past three years.  

An example of the water rate increase would be - for every 1,000 gallons of water used, a resident will see an increase to their water bill of 43 cents. Administrative fees are not calculated per gallon, therefore, not included in this breakdown.

For tips on how to conserve water in your home, please check out the following resources: www.epa.gov/watersense and https://home-water-works.org/calculator