Water/Sewer Rates

Water and Sewer Billing Department

2026 Water & Sewer Rate Update

Effective May 1, 2026 | Ordinance 26-4-2

On April 13, 2026, the Marengo City Council approved changes to water and sewer rates to address three long-standing issues: operating shortfalls, unclear debt funding and more than $16 million in critical infrastructure needs.

These changes ensure your water and sewer system remains safe, reliable, and financially sustainable.

Your Water Quality
The City of Marengo’s water meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking standards.
In October 2025, manganese levels were temporarily elevated. As of April 1, 2026, levels are back within normal range.
You can view the 2024 Consumer Confidence Report here: Water Safety Dashboard

Why Rates Are Changing
1. Operating costs have not been covered
For the past 10 years, water and sewer rates have not generated enough revenue to pay for day-to-day operations. The average shortfall has been about $56,000 per year.
To cover the gap, the City used surplus funds collected for debt payments. That practice is not transparent and does not provide reliable funding for maintenance.
Going forward: Water and sewer rates will be reviewed annually to match actual operating expenses. This review could result in an increase or a decrease.

2. Debt fees will now pay only for debt
Previously, Water Debt and Sewer Debt fees were increased each year by CPI and the extra money was used for operations and repairs.
Going forward: Debt fees will be set to cover only actual loan payments for the water plant, sewer plant, and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). This makes the fees transparent and predictable.

3. The system needs critical investment
The water and sewer system requires more than $16.3 million in maintenance and replacement over the next 10 years. This includes:

• • Replacement of aging water mains and sewer lines
  • Upgrades to treatment facilities
  • Replacement of pumps, equipment, and division vehicles

These are required projects, not optional improvements. Delaying them increases the risk of main breaks, service disruptions, and more expensive emergency repairs.

Going Forward: The City Council created a new Capital Improvement Fee of $20 per quarter per unit. This dedicated fee will generate approximately $240,000 per year to begin funding the most urgent projects. The fee will be reviewed annually. See Chapter 50 of the Municipal Code for more details. Chapter 50

RATE TABLE

H2O OPS – water operations $5.55 x 1,000 gallons

WW OPS – wastewater operations $6.65 x 1,000 gallons

WTRDEBT – Water service flat rate $13.30 per quarterly bill per dwelling unit

SWRDBT – Wastewater service flat rate $8.80 per quarterly bill per dwelling unit

WWTP – Waste Water Treatment Plant Expansion $5.00 x 1,000 gallons

CAP FEE – Capital Fee flat rate $20.00 per quarterly bill per dwelling unit

Business Accounts have a $25 per unit flat rate for the Waste Water Treatment Plant Expansion this is added to line item above labeled WWTP

Subtracting the current read from the previous read gets your water use to 1,000 gallons.  The A next to the read means it is an actual read, if there was an E it would be an estimated read.

***A BILL WITH NO WATER USE WILL BE $42.10  — Total usage cost for 1,000 gallons is $17.20***

Bill Examples

Mailed Postcard bill:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emailed bill:

 

**Need Help Managing Costs?**

PAYMENT PLANS are available – set up a payment plan to pay your quarterly bill monthly with 3 payments. To enroll (you need to enroll every time you receive a bill) email utilitybilling@cityofmarengo.com with your account # and or address and ask for a payment plan OR you can call 815-596-0127

When Do I Get A Water Bill?

The City of Marengo is split into 3 billing sections. The first number of your billing account number will tell you what section you are in.

Section 1
Billed February 1, Due March 1 for the months of October, November and December.
Billed May 1, due June 1 for the months of January, February and March
Billed August 1, due September 1 for the months of April, May and June
Billed November 1, due December 1 for the months of July, August and September

Section 2
Billed December 1, due January 1 for the months of August, September and October
Billed March 1, due April 1 for the months of November, December and January
Billed June 1, due July 1 for the months of February, March and April
Billed September 1, due October 1 for the months of May, June and July

Section 3
Billed January 1, due February 1 for the months of September, October and November
Billed April 1, due May 1 for the month of December, January and February
Billed July 1, due August 1 for the months of March, April and May
Billed October 1, due November 1 for the months of June, July and August

Questions? Email utilitybilling@cityofmarengo.com or call 815-596-0127