Chicago Water Rate Hikes Won't Hit Palatine

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to raise water rates will affect many suburbs that use Lake Michigan water, but not Palatine.

"Anybody whose ultimate source of water is coming from the city of Chicago, whether directly or through some joint water action agency is, right now, in jeopardy of seeing significant increase," Palatine Village Manager Reid Ottesen said, adding the increases could be as much as 70 percent.

Although Palatine, like many suburbs in Cook County, uses Lake Michigan water it does not come through Chicago. Ottesen said Palatine will be able to avoid Emanuel's proposed increase.

Ottesen said Palatine, Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, and Wheeling are part of the Northwest Water Commission and receive water through Evanston.

"We have a contract with the city of Evanston...we are locked into a 20-plus year [agreement] with Evanston," Ottesen said. "We are not in jeopardy of any of those types of increases you see with the city of Chicago right now."

Ottesen said water rate will remain in the bottom 10 percent of rates of communities in the area.

Palatine did raise its water rate at the start of this year. The rate increased from $2.24 per 1,000 gallons to $3. The increased revenue will be used to fund improvements to the city's water system. Among the items was the $427,000 rehabilitation of the Smith Street water tank.

Despite the increase this year, Palatine remained far below the average water rate – $4.79 – of surrounding suburbs.