Publications & Sites 
Hinsdale water rates to rise 7.3 percent
Updated: February 11, 2013 1:56AM
HINSDALE — The Village Board was scheduled Tuesday to consider a 7.3 percent water rate hike to offset a 21.6 percent jump the DuPage Water Commission will charge the village beginning in January.
The commission faces steep price hikes from the City of Chicago, which sells water to suburbs, Assistant Village Manager Darrell Langlois told the Administration and Community Affairs Committee last week. The commission plans to raise its rates another 18 percent in 2014 and 17 percent in 2015, Langlois reported.
Hinsdale raised its water rates 11 percent a year ago, after a 3.6 percent increase in May 2011.
Village Trustee Doug Geoga said people “weary” of paying more for water “would understand if they knew we are merely passing along the cost increase we are receiving.” The committee urged Langlois to include a written explanation with the customers’ bills, which will charge $7.08 per 100 cubic feet of water.
The village staff usually does not get a lot of complaints after water rates go up, Langlois said.
“Obviously, (we) get a couple,” he said. But residents suffered a double whammy this summer, when they paid higher rates and, most likely, watered more because of the dry conditions.
Residents called to complain their water bills had doubled, Langlois said.
“Most of the time we are able to explain,” Langlois said. “I’m sure they sprinkle less after that phone call.” ~.
