The Illinois American Water Company will hold a public forum at Parkland Community College Room D244 at 7:00 p.m Thursday to discuss a proposed water rate increase.
The purpose of the forum is to receive comment concerning the proposed general increase in water and sewer rates, according to a notice from the Illinois Commerce Commission, (ICC).
The proposal will be outlined and moderators will take comments from participants at the meeting, said Beth Bosch, spokeswoman for ICC.
On May 29, Illinois American Water filed an application with ICC to adjust rates, according to a press release from Illinois American Water.
The effect of the changes varies depending on the level of water use, size of meter and service classification. The monthly rate for medium level usage of water will increase by 31.6 percent, according to Illinois American Water.
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“Even if the rate increase is approved at 100 percent, which usually doesn’t happen, customers will get a gallon (of water) for about a penny,” said Barry Suits, network operations manager for Illinois American Water.
State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-103, said she is against the rate increase and encourages public comment at the meeting.
“It (the public forum) is an opportunity for those who oppose these rate hikes to voice their opinion,” Jakobsson said.
She said she distributed petitions opposing higher electric and water rates, but said she does not have a problem with a company making money as long as it does not increase rates repeatedly.
According to a press release from ICC, the proposed rates would increase the overall water revenue in Champaign and other central Illinois cities by 30.08 percent.
The increase will generate $37.6 million in revenue for Champaign, said Kathryn Foster, spokeswoman for Illinois American Water.
The rate adjustments will specifically help Champaign customers, Foster added.
“One thing that’s specific to Champaign is it helps pay for the remaining cost of the new water treatment plant on West Bradley,” Foster said.
The proposal would also enhance the Mattis Avenue water treatment plant in Champaign, she added.
“The requested increase reflects new investments in pipes, pumps, valves, hydrants and other improvements necessary to insure the continued high quality, reliable water service our customers are accustomed to,” Suits said.
Foster said the proposal also stipulates that the company begin to bill customers monthly instead of bi–monthly.
“We’ve heard from customers that they would prefer that,” she added.
Bosch said different parties will express what they think the company should charge. She added that another round of testimony will allow these parties to correct errors or underestimated figures.
Bosch said another proposal will be submitted in March. It will spell out how much revenue is needed and how it will be collected through rates. A final decision on the rate adjustments will be made April 2010.
