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1. What am I paying for on the water bill?

The Village's water and sanitary sewer facilities are operated as part of an enterprise fund.  This is a separate accounting and financial reporting mechanism for municipal services for which a fee is charged in exchange for goods or services. It allows a community to demonstrate to the public the portion of total costs of a service that is recovered through user charges and the portion that is subsidized by the tax levy, if any. With an enterprise fund, all costs of service delivery—direct, indirect, and capital costs—are identified. This allows the community to recover total service costs through user fees if it chooses. 

The water bill contains several charges that are all factors of the amount of water used.

• Operations & Maintenance - The cost to operate the entire water and sanitary sewer system used to produce and deliver water
• Debt Service - Retire existing bonds used to build the water & sewer system
• Capital Charge - Build reserve for expected capital improvements to the water system
• LCTC - Lake County Treatment Charge passed on by the County that treats the Village's waste water

The reverse side of the water bill provides additional details on the cost per 1,000 gallons.

2. How do I access to the online water consumption portal?

The online portal gives you the ability to monitor your water usage.  Your water statement will contain all of the information you need to sign into your account.  Access to the online portal is available here.  Please take a few minutes to review the instructional video to learn the necessary details of logging on to the portal for the first time.

3. How do I know that my reading is accurate?

Each water meter's radio frequency device has a unique identification number, which is transmitted along with the meter reading. The unique number is compared to your account record to ensure a match.  This reading is deemed more accurate than visually reading the meter.  Some of the newly installed Sensus iPearl water meters have been pulled for testing by an independent laboratory and have shown to be 99.57% accurate.

4. How does Automated Meter Reading (AMR) Work?

A small box, called a Meter Interface Unit (MIU), or transmitter, is installed on the exterior of your house or business near your water meter. It is connected to your new water meter inside your home, and transmits a radio signal to a data collector. Your meter reading is then transmitted to the Village instantaneously and daily. Each meter has a unique identification number that ensures only your reading is assigned to your account. This system reduces the need for manual meter readings, catches any leaks sooner, and is far more accurate.

5. What is AMR?

AMR stands for Automated Meter Reading.  The Village is replacing existing water meters with new meters that utilize AMR technology to remotely read customer meters and relay the data to the Villages’ Billing Office, providing timely and reliable reading without having to gain access to your property.

6. Will my information be secure?

Yes, only meter consumption data and meter numbers are transmitted. Personal customer information is not loaded into the transmitter and therefore, is not transmitted.

7. Will the transmitter radio frequency interfere with my television or phones?

No, the radio transmission operates in compliance with FCC regulations to avoid interference with other electronic devices.

8. Does Automated Meter Reading (AMR) have any other benefits?

Yes. AMR improves accuracy. It will detect possible leaks faster and may allow us to notify you of problems before they become serious, and costly. It also eliminates the need for manually reading meters, except for periodical maintenance or replacement of system components, when needed. This allows the Village to be more efficient and save money by preventing recording errors, and minimizing wear and tear on Village vehicles.

9. Where can I ask questions or share concerns?

If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact Michael Duebner at 847-540-1690 or via email to Michael.Duebner@LakeZurich.org