Water Utility Update: Rates, Infrastructure, and Future Projects
Water Utility Update
The Village has initiated a Simplified Water Rate Case application with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC). This application requests a modest 3% inflationary adjustment to water rates, anticipated to take effect August 1, 2026. The average residential water bill will increase by $1.55 per month.
At the same time, the Village is also preparing and filing a Conventional Water Rate Case with the PSC. That process is significantly more detailed and may take up to a year for PSC review and approval, with any resulting rates likely becoming effective around August 1, 2027.
These rate discussions are not new and have been part of ongoing Water & Sewer Committee and budget discussions over the past year. They are also tied directly to the Village’s Master Water & Sewer Planning efforts, where the Village reviewed the condition of its infrastructure systems, identified long-term needs, and developed a schedule for future capital improvements.
Several major infrastructure projects are currently planned for 2027. The future conventional rate case will help incorporate rising operational costs, as well as the debt service needed to complete those improvements.
The Water Utility has also experienced net operating losses the past two years. This can occur over time as operating costs increase. At this time, it has not been considered an emergency situation because the utility maintains sufficient cash reserves to absorb these temporary losses while the Village plans responsibly for future infrastructure investment and long-term financial stability.
The Village is sharing this information in the interest of transparency and to keep the community informed throughout the process.