North Aurora committee backs Option 3 framework for water rates and to pursue Batavia interconnect for low‑pressure zone

Trustees on April 6 reviewed a multi‑year water master plan and a water‑rate study that assesses the village’s deep‑well supply, treatment needs, tower and pump capacity, and options to address a recurring low‑pressure area in the far east side of town.

Staff said engineering consultant EI estimated $121–$141 million in system improvements over 25 years; a smaller 10‑year scenario focused on immediate needs was presented at roughly $47 million. Staff described two main treatment paths for radium removal: the village’s current hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) filtration and ion‑exchange (cation exchange/softening). Capital estimates presented were roughly $12.5 million to upgrade HMO versus about $14 million for ion exchange. Water superintendent Adam Hake warned ion exchange can "actually concentrate more of that ammonia chemical in the treatment vessels and then release it towards the end of the treatment cycle and it can create fluctuations and chlorine residuals and cause some... more noxious taste and odors for people," and noted ion exchange raises finished‑water sodium and adds delivery and operational requirements.

On system resilience, staff said consultants concluded the village’s deep wells appear sustainable "for at least the next 25 years or so," but noted that ongoing reassessment, lead‑service‑line replacement and IEPA‑required corrosion‑control studies will be necessary. Staff estimated lead service‑line replacement and well maintenance costs across the planning horizon; EI’s worst‑case capital list drove the high 25‑year estimate.

The board focused significant discussion on a narrow high‑elevation band on the far east side that has suffered intermittent pressure drops and recent boil orders. Two remedy paths were described: create a new local pressure zone with a new tower and pumping (estimated well above $20 million) or create an interconnect with the City of Batavia and buy water for that area (preliminary cost estimate presented at roughly $5 million) to supply pressure to about 100–200 homes. Staff said any interconnect agreement would require an intergovernmental agreement (IGA), Batavia council approval, and a corrosion‑control study for the new supply zone; the village would likely keep residents on a single North Aurora bill and smooth any Batavia cost differences internally.

To fund near‑term capital, staff modeled five rate frameworks and revenue scenarios that assumed taking $30 million of debt over 10 years and generating the remainder through rates. The models used a typical bimonthly usage of 11,000 gallons (current average bimonthly bill about $63.60). Staff recommended Option 3, which raises the bimonthly base from $16 to $25 and increases usage charges (example modeled first‑year blended increase producing an average bimonthly bill near $89.26 for the 11,000‑gallon user); trustees generally supported refining Option 3 and asked staff to return the exact numbers for final action during the May 4 budget meeting.

Board consensus in the discussion favored retaining the existing HMO treatment process rather than switching to ion exchange because of the operational and taste/odor risks and higher ongoing costs associated with softening. Trustees also expressed support for pursuing the Batavia interconnect to resolve the pressure and avoid ongoing boil orders.

Next steps: staff will return refined Option 3 rate numbers for formal consideration at the May 4 budget meeting and continue negotiations/feasibility discussions with Batavia; the public meeting adjourned into executive session on a vote to discuss the sale of property.

Why it matters: The study outlines multi‑decade capital needs, potential rate increases that will affect residential and commercial customers, and policy choices about treatment technology and an interjurisdictional solution to a pressure‑and‑boil‑order problem that currently affects a small but vulnerable set of residents.