Our Water System at a Glance
35 miles
of water main
2,200
residents served
450,000 gal
delivered on an average day
500,000 gal
per day in summer
420
fire hydrants
220
water valves
The Water Division is part of the Village of Winthrop Harbor Department of Public Works, under the direction of Public Works Director Tim Neargarder. The Division delivers safe, reliable drinking water to about 6,700 residents. It also maintains the pipes, valves, hydrants and meters that carry water from the supply to every home and business in the Village.
Division staff handle daily operations, routine maintenance, emergency repairs, meter reading and exchanges, and regulatory compliance. They also plan long-term investment so the system keeps up with an aging network and changing state and federal requirements.
Enterprise Fund — Not Property Tax Funded
Water and sewer services are not funded by property taxes. The Water & Sewer Fund is an enterprise fund, meaning it pays for itself through utility revenues such as usage fees, connection fees, grants and loans. That way, the cost of running and renewing the system is paid by the customers who use it.
Effective July 1, 2026 (Ordinance 2026-O)
The Village Board approved in September 2026, amending water rates under Sections 50.030 and 50.039 of the Municipal Code. The ordinance raises the water usage rate and capital improvement fee by approximately 6%, removes the retired Lake County debt service charge ($27.00/quarter), and increases the annual adjustment from 3% to 5% compounding through 2030.
Lake County Debt Service Charge — Permanently Removed
The $27.00 quarterly Lake County debt service charge has been permanently removed. That charge was collected and remitted for a bond on the Lake Michigan intake project, which has now been retired. For most residential customers, removing this charge more than offsets the rate increase — resulting in a lower quarterly bill overall.
Rate Changes Summary
| Charge | Before Oct 2026 | Effective Oct 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water user base chargeper 1,000 gallons | $9.56 | $10.13 | +$0.57 (6%) |
| Capital Improvement Feeper quarter | $8.00 | $8.48 | +$0.48 (6%) |
| Lake County debt service chargeper quarter | $27.00 | Removed | −$27.00 |
| Annual rate adjustmentthrough 2030 | 3% compounding | 5% compounding | +2 points |
| Sewer base & usage charges | Unchanged | Unchanged | No change |
Effect on a Typical Residential Bill (Quarterly)
| Quarterly Usage | Water Rate Change | Cap. Fee Change | Debt Charge Removed | Net Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 gallons | +$5.70 | +$0.48 | −$27.00 | −$20.82 |
| 15,000 gallons | +$8.55 | +$0.48 | −$27.00 | −$17.97 |
| 20,000 gallons | +$11.40 | +$0.48 | −$27.00 | −$15.12 |
Water charges only. Sewer charges are unchanged. Actual bills vary with usage.
Projected Water Usage Rate Through 2030
5% annual compounding adjustment — effective each October, 2026
Projected Rates Through Oct 2030 (per 1,000 gal)
5% annual compounding adjustment each October through 2030 (Ordinance 2026-O). Sewer charges not included.
| Effective Date | Rate / 1,000 gal | Cap. Improvement Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | $10.13 | $8.48 | Current |
| July 1, 2027 | $10.64 | $8.90 | 5% increase |
| July 1, 2028 | $11.17 | $9.35 | 5% increase |
| July 1, 2029 | $11.73 | $9.82 | 5% increase |
| July 1, 2030 | $12.32 | $10.31 | 5% increase — final scheduled adjustment |
Projections are based on the 5% annual compounding adjustment authorized under Ordinance 2026-O through July 1, 2030. Capital Improvement Fee adjusts at the same rate. Sewer charges are not included.
Rate History
The Village has historically authorized rate increases infrequently. Notable adjustments: no increases from 1992–2008; August 2017 (from $5.00 to $6.00/thousand gallons); 2023 (5% increase to $6.33/thousand gallons); February 2025 (rate adjustment + new Capital Improvement Fee, 3% annual increases through 2030); July 2026 (Ordinance 2026-O — 6% increase, debt charge removed, annual adjustment raised to 5% through 2030).
Senior Citizen Discount
The Village offers a 10% discount on the water portion of the bill for residents aged 65 and older who permanently reside in a single-family home within the Village. The water account must be in the applicant's or their spouse's name. Proof of age is required (valid driver's license, state ID, or birth certificate). Sewer services are not included in the discount.
For more information, contact the Village Clerk's office at 847-872-3846.