Aqua files for rate increase

Jennifer Bailey, Commercial-News, Danville, Ill.
·2 min read

Jan. 23—DANVILLE — Aqua Illinois has filed for a rate increase with the Illinois Commerce Commission that would have a customer's average monthly residential water bill increasing by $29.91, or $1 a day, starting in December 2024 if approved.

Aqua has outlined the proposed change in its rate schedules for water and wastewater service in Vermilion and other counties through a public notice.

The ICC will have hearings, and it doesn't have to approve the rate increase request in full.

For a bill example, Aqua officials said if the proposed rate increase is granted in full, a monthly residential wastewater and water bill (4,000 gallons) would increase to $152.87.

The last rate cases impacting customers were filed in 2017 and 2011. Increases occurred those following years.

The current rate request will undergo a review by the ICC for 11 months, according to Aqua Illinois.

If the request is approved by the ICC, the changes for all classes of water and wastewater service statewide would result in an increase to base rates of $19,196,140, according to Aqua Illinois President David Carter.

Aqua officials previously said they were proud of having gone so long for rate increase requests.

Aqua officials also have previously stated there had been greater rate stability due to amendments to the Qualifying Infrastructure Plant (QIP) surcharge.

Aqua said the rates customers pay include benefits of water and wastewater improvement projects to replace aging and deteriorating equipment and additions to improve water quality, increase capacity and reliability and accommodate industrial growth.

Aqua Illinois, a subsidiary of Aqua America, Inc., serves 14 counties in Illinois. It has 30 public water systems; 13 water and wastewater treatment facilities; 69,000 water connections; 24,000 wastewater connections;1,535 miles of water mains; 48 water wells; 277,000 customers served; and 96 employees.

Vermilion County customers include in Danville, Tilton, the Danville Correctional Center, the Lake Boulevard and Hooton areas, Catlin, Westville, Belgium, Indianola and Philo as well as surrounding unincorporated areas.