Show All Answers

1. How does the Village determine how to set the Water and Sewer rates?

The Village of Lombard completed a Water and Sewer rate study with the assistance of an outside third party consultant in 2019.  Based on these results, recommendations were proposed by both the Finance & Administration and Public Works & Environmental Concerns Committees, consisting of Village of Lombard residents.  

2. What were the results of the Water and Sewer Rate Study?

• The results of the study showed that current water and sewer revenues collected are 96% variable (rate x water usage per 1000 gallons) and 4% fixed (bi-monthly service charge and cross connection fee).  The study also showed the Village’s current expenses are 74% fixed (operations and maintenance, debt, capital) and 26% variable (purchased water and sewer treatment per 1000 gallons). 
  • The current rate structure is highly dependent on customer usage which is steadily decreasing due to water conservation measures and high efficiency appliances.  The fixed expenses continue to rise due to inflation and state mandates.
  • Based on research, it was found that best practice is to have at least 15% of the rate fixed.  Both committees decided that a 15% fixed fee at this time would be difficult for consumers.  
  • The Committees discussed at length potential customer concerns and business friendly practices. The proposed rate structure will bring the water and sewer revenues to 8% fixed and 92% variable. 
• The Village has been supporting the Water and Sewer Fund with money that was not originally intended for water and sewer operations.  The Water and Sewer Fund should be funded solely by the revenue generated from water and sewer fees.
• The Committees reviewed the pros and cons of bi-monthly vs. monthly billing and how the proposed rate structure should show on the water billing statement.

3. Why is the water/sewer rate increasing by $0.40 per 1,000 gallons used?

The study concluded that for the Village to maintain the highest quality of drinking water to its customers, this $0.40 increase per 1,000 gallons is necessary.

4. What does the $0.40 increase mean for the average household?

The average Lombard resident uses 5,000 gallons per month meaning most residents will experience a $2.00 monthly increase in billing.

5. Did the water and sewer study recommend any additional fee structure changes?

Yes. In order to close the gap between variable and fixed costs, the study recommended that the Village implement a $5.00 fixed capital fee per bill. This fixed capital fee will help to pay for Lombard’s aging infrastructure needs.  With this increased capital, Lombard’s Utility Division will be able to avoid drinking water issues, of which other municipalities have been affected.

6. Why is billing changing from a bi-monthly to a monthly schedule?

The transition from bi-monthly to monthly billing will create a more consistent billing date for users.  Monthly bills will make it easier for residents to know when bills are issued and when they are due.

7. Where can I learn about my water usage?

The newly installed smart water meters, allow users to view water usage metrics, set leak alerts, and get water saving tips through the WaterSmart portal.  To access your account, sign up at https://lombard.watersmart.com.

8. What can I do to make paying my bill easier?

Users have the convenient option to sign up for automatic direct bank account withdrawal for their water bills. To sign up, visit villageoflombard.org/autopay.

9. Where can I learn more?

For more information on water and sewer billing visit villageoflombard.org/waterbilling.

10. Where can I find out more about Village news?

Connect with the Village on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and sign up for a weekly E-Pride Newsletter at www.villageoflombard.org/epride.

11. You asked me to conserve water – I did that, and now you are raising my rates! I do not understand this and it makes me angry.

• As you know, the Village of Lombard has worked hard to ensure high-quality drinking water continuously flows to your taps. Our job is to ensure clean, drinkable water is available where and when you need it 365 days a year. The Village of Lombard has been delivering reliable water service to you since 1910 thanks to one hundred eighty-four miles of pipe and hundreds of dedicated people working around the clock.
• The costs to deliver the water service customers expect when they turn on the faucet are rising and also changing. We are not alone; utility costs are increasing across the country. Just like any business, as costs of these inputs rise, our prices must rise to reflect the cost of providing the service.
• Conservation has been shown to benefit water customers by reducing our utility’s costs. When we are able to reduce our costs, that helps slow the rise of water rates over the long-term.

12. Prices are increasing on everything – a water rate increase is the straw that will break the camel’s back. Why does water cost so much?

· Your monthly water bill payments are working to ensure our ability 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to deliver high quality, reliable water in a manner that values the environment,  community and economic interests, and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.

· We safeguard water for our community by producing an adequate supply that meets strict standards for safety and quality, and ensuring our drinking water system protects that water from our facilities to your faucet.

· And when water service is compared to the cost of staple consumer goods and other services, such as electricity, telephone, and cable, water is an outstanding value. The average cost for one gallon of water from your water source to your tap is half-a-cent. In comparison:

          o The national average for one gallon of whole milk is $3.50.

          o The national average for one gallon of gas is $2.86.

          o Bottled water costs about $1.21 per gallon nationwide – or about 300 times the cost of a gallon of tap water.

          o Considering that almost two thirds of all bottled water sales are single-serve 16.9oz bottles, this average cost for a gallon can be much, much higher: about $7.50 per gallon. That’s               almost 2,000 times the cost of a gallon of tap water.

13. Are there assistance programs for people who can’t afford to pay higher water rates?

• Conservation is the best way to manage your own water costs. The less water you use, the less you will pay. While water rates will continue to rise over time, those who conserve will always pay less than those who waste water or do not conserve.
• Our rate structure means you will always receive the water you need for daily use at an affordable cost.
• Login to lombard.watersmart.com to learn ways to reduce water use and lower bills.

14. How does the Village of Lombard compare to other communities for water and sewer rates?

The Village sets a rate structure to pay for the water and sewer system that the Village has in place, not the system that another community has in place. Other communities have different costs and debt which makes their rate structure different and difficult to compare to Lombard’s system.

15. Why do rates need to be increased? How often will we see increases?

· The water bill you pay is an investment in our water future, to ensure we can continue to provide you – and generations to come – with the high quality water service you receive today. Our new rate structure will help us make our water system stronger, so that we can provide smarter services at the lowest costs.

• Approximately 73% of Lombard water customers use 5,000 gallons or less per month.  Most customers will experience a monthly increase of $2.00 or less to pay for the Village’s operating costs. 
• The new $5 fixed capital fee per bill will help to pay for Lombard’s aging infrastructure needs.