Thorn Creek Basin Sanitary District User Cost Among Lowest of State Treatment Agencies

Thorn Creek Basin continues to have one of the lowest user charges of wastewater treatment agencies in northern Illinois.

A survey of published wastewater treatment user charges in northern Illinois shows that Thorn Creek Basin’s average annual residential charges are the among the lowest (see accompanying graph).

While the District’s cost control measures have kept rates low, a 5% user charge increase for the 2023-2024 fiscal year went into effect July 1. The new rate is $1.832 per 100 cubic feet of water used.

The rate hike is due to continuing fiscal challenges the District faces, including the negative impact of a continuing population decline in the Thorn Creek Basin service area.  In addition to the population factor, a decline in industrial flows is having a continued effect on District revenues.  Also, the costs of goods and services have significantly increased, including the costs of chemicals required to treat wastewater to EPA standards.