BELLEVILLE, Ill. – The 1.3 million customers of Illinois American Water, including here in Peoria, may end up paying more for water and wastewater services this time next year.
That’s because Illinois American says it’s filed a rate change request with the Illinois Commerce Commission — the first step in an 11-month process before the request is approved or denied.
The utility says it’s the first rate change since 2017, and rates could increase between $6 and $14 per month for water, and between $7 and $17 for wastewater.
The utility points to $1.1 in improvements they’re making to both systems in 146 communities.
“We carefully plan and invest in our water and wastewater systems to provide safe and reliable service to nearly 1.3 million Illinoisians in 146 communities across the state,” said Justin Ladner, Illinois American Water President, in a news release. “These investments are key to providing outstanding service and reliability, both now and in the future.”
But, they’re also proposing what they call a “low-income discount tariff,” which they claim could decrease some bills by 70 percent.
“This could result in lowering a typical residential customer’s monthly bill for 3,500 gallons with a 5/8-inch meter by about $23 for water service,” according to the news release. “A combined collection and treatment wastewater service bill for the same customer could see a decrease of about $8 to $15 a month, depending on the service area.”
The rate change request process is similar to ones reported on in the past with Ameren Illinois.
