The City of West Chicago recently updated water and sewer customers on the ongoing comprehensive water-meter replacement program, which began in 2011.
Meter equipment had become antiquated and unreliable. Each meter is being replaced with new equipment that will transmit usage data electronically. Also, water usage will now be measured in gallons, as opposed to the outdated cubic-feet method.
Several technical challenges have delayed implementation, including software issues and reading limitations. As a result of the glitches, an extensive delay has occurred in the issuance of bills, and the city has sent out letter to residents.
“To address the delay in billing, it is anticipated that customers will be billed in four-month increments of usage for some time to come to mitigate the amount due for each bill, recognizing that several more months of consumption have not yet been billed. The city will return to billing in increments of every two months, as has been the billing cycle prior to the new meter project, upon the completion of the City-wide meter installation project and after all billing software issues have been addressed.”
To assist customers with payment scheduling and other concerns as the delays are corrected, West Chicago is offering benefits such as additional time over the customary 30-day due date for payment of utility bills, payment plans and acceptance of estimated payments for future charges. For more information, customers should contact the city at 630-293-2200, extension 170.
Alerts Sign-up