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Glencoe staff propose 7% water, 8% sewer increases; detail lead-service-line program and leak-detection successes
Summary
Staff proposed a 7% increase to water charges and an 8% increase to sewer rates in the draft 2026 budget to support infrastructure and MWRD mandates. The village highlighted a successful leak-detection program and a $250,000 annual lead-service-line replacement budget tied to resurfacing schedules.
Village water and public-works staff outlined rate changes and programmatic work in the draft 2026 budget presentation.
Staff proposed raising volumetric water rates and fixed charges by 7% and sanitary sewer rates by 8%, citing earlier rate analyses and the need to fund infrastructure projects, including $7.9 million in sewer-related improvements over the next 10 years. The increases were presented as part of a multi-year plan tied to the 10-year CIP and debt-financing schedule.
Water staff described a successful leak-detection program launched in two phases that has identified leaks early, reduced net water loss and allowed outreach to homeowners for cost-sharing repairs. Public works also outlined a lead-service-line replacement program with an annual budget reset to $250,000 and a policy to notify homeowners and require replacements within three years of scheduled street resurfacing or face a fine; staff said emergency replacements would be handled with fee waivers where appropriate.
Staff emphasized the need to align water main replacement projects with resurfacing to avoid repeated street cuts and discussed ongoing planning for Bluff/Grove/Milton replacements and associated coordination with homeowners.
