Villa Grove residents can expect their water bills to cost more now that the city approved a rate increase to help pay for a new water treatment facility.
The $4 million facility is still in the planning phase, and is set to be built just south of the current water treatment facility on Main Street.
The current water treatment facility is in dire need of replacement according to Jacki Athey. "Most are built to last 20-25 years. Ours is about 80-85 years old," Athey said.
The increase will bump the minimum water bill up from $12.04 to $16 starting in May. In 2016, the minimum bill will go up to $19.02, before jumping to $22.03 in 2017.
To help residents, Villa Grove officials decided to gradually increase the minimum bill amount over three years instead of doubling the amount right away.
Athey said the minimum increase would be around $4, and the average household's bill will increase about $8 a month once the rate increase goes into effect on March 16.
A 1 percent sewer rate increase will not take effect until next year.
The sewer rate increase would add another 68 to 69 cents onto resident's sewer bills.
Athey said the money collected by the rate increase will go towards paying back loans on the project, but the city is also looking to get help paying for the project from the state.
The city will apply for a state grant later on this year to help offset some of the cost of the new water treatment facility as well.
Ground could be broken on the project as soon as next spring once the grant application process and design phase are complete.
The last time water and sewer rates changed in Villa Grove was back in 2010.
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