Down the Drain: La Grange Looks to Replace Water Meters

The Village of La Grange may soon know when you flush your toilet, what times you run the shower and for how long, and even if you've got a leaky sink.

Well, they wont know all that exactly, but they will know how much water you're using much more accurately if the board passes a proposal to upgrade water meters in the village.

That's good news for the community, but if you're a resident with a worn out meter currently, it could mean you'll end up owing what you actually use—and that means a higher bill. But, it also means that if you're paying an accurate amount on the water you use for your home, your neighbor now will too.

Lost Water and Higher Rates

In 2011, the Village lost nearly 150 million gallons of water. Some from annual hydrant flushing and the occasional water main break, but much of it is from water meters on resident's homes that are no longer accurate.

The last time the village upgraded its water meters was 1987, Public Works Director Ryan Gillingham told board members on Feb. 27. With a lifespan of about 20 years, 56 percent of the meters no longer meet accuracy standards. That means 56 percent of residents in La Grange are getting more water than they pay for.

Wear on the mechanical water meters over time effects their accuracy. Essentially, it makes it harder for the meters to accurately reflect the low-flow rate: flushing a toilet, or a leaky sink for example.

Due to be replaced anyways, Gillingham presented a recommendation that the board approve the purchase and installation of a new set of meters for village residents. The new meters are more accurate (down to .03 gallons), don't lose accuracy over time (no mechanical parts) and can wirelessly transmit their information to Village Hall four times a day.

The result is less "lost" water, and more equality as all residents are billed for the actual amount of water they're using. It also means the village will be able to tell you more about your bill. For example, if you've got a leak, they'll be able to tell you so, saving you money and saving water. 

The better accounting of water used will be even more important for the village beginning this year. The city of Chicago plans to increase water rates to the village significantly: 25 percent in 2012 and 15 percent for three years after. Water lost by the village is about to become significantly more expensive for La Grange.

Board Agrees New Meters Necessary, But Unsure How to Pay

The board was significantly impressed by the presentation on Feb. 27 at its regular monthly meeting, and told Gillingham several times.

Board members could generally agree that the new meters were necessary, and the improvements in the meter's technology, as well as the increased billing equality, were worth moving forward on. They could not, however, agree on a plan to pay for it. In the end the board requested a further break down of the costs and asked village staff to look into more financing options.

As presented to the board by Village Finance Director Lou Cipparrone, staff sought to bundle the $1.3 million cost of the new meters with a proposal to make necessary upgrades at the Village's East Avenue Pumping Station and include the increase in water rates from Chicago into one rate increase. 

The result would be a 15 percent increase in 2012 on village water rates, followed by a 7.5 percent annual increase for the next four years. Residents would likely see a $100 increase on their water bills in 2012 and about $65 annually for the following years increases.

Cipparrone suggested to the board the project could be paid for with a 20-year bond issue. The rate increases would cover the cost of paying back the bond and would help replentish the village's water fund, which Cipparrone said was currently around 20 percent of opperating expenses, with the ideal being 50 percent.

Trustee Mark Kuchler said he was in favor of making the pumping station improvements and upgrading on water meters, but felt that the village was abandoning its traditional "pay-as-you-go" strategy if it financed the project with the bond issue. Kuchler said he preferred an option to go with a local lender and pay the amount off in five years.

Trustee Michael Horvath agreed and requested more detail on the break down of the 15 percent rate hike, and said he thought the increased revenue from the new water meters would pay for the project itself. 

Village President Liz Asperger summed up the board's feelings at the end of the meeting and directed staff to look into the areas further where trustees had concerns. However, she said the board was elected to make tough decisions and that trustees needed to more forward with the plan sooner rather than later.

“We have an inequitable system with water meters that are old and no longer accurately recording information,” Asperger said. “The solution appears to be in the interest of the whole community.