Summer Dialogue 2017 Summer | Page 7

Family Education Tradition Philanthropy Utility Bill Updates Effective May 1, residents will see changes on their quarterly water bills. The new bills will include a Public Safety Pension Fee approved by the City Council on December 5, 2016. The fee will help support the annual contribution to fund State-mandated costs associated with pension benefits for Lake Forest police officers and firefighters. The fee will be $10 per quarter for residential accounts and $35 per quarter for all other accounts. The City has also made changes to the water rates and structure. The quarterly customer charge for small meters will increase from $30 per quarter to $40 per quarter, while the charge for medium meters will increase from $150 per quarter to $160 per quarter. This increase will be offset for most customers by a reduction in the consumption charge for the first 10,000 gallons used per quarter. Current Rate Rate after 5/1/17 Lake Forest Residential - to 10,000 Gallons per Quarter Lake Forest Residential - 10,001 to 60,000 Gallons per Quarter Lake Forest Residential - over 60,000 Gallons per Quarter Lake Forest - all other users $5.43 $5.43 $5.70 $5.60 $4.50 $5.62 $5.89 $5.80 For additional information regarding these changes, visit cityoflakeforest.com. Protecting the Community’s Water Supply Do you have an irrigation system, swim- ming pool, fire protection sys- tem or boiler on your property? If so, there may be a backflow device on that system. On an annual basis, backflow de- vices must be inspected by a certified inspector. Each spring, the City’s Community Development Depart- ment sends a notice to owners of properties on which, according to City records, a backflow device is installed, as a reminder to have the device inspected. Documentation of inspection and certification that the backflow device is in proper working order must be submitted to the City by September 20 each year. A list of inspectors in the area is available from the Community Development Department. Keep our Waterways Clean Illicit discharges are generally any discharges into a storm drain system that are not entirely composed of only stormwater. These discharges are a problem because, un- like wastewater which flows to the City’s Water Treatment Plant, stormwater generally flows to waterways without any additional treatment. Common materials illegally dumped into storm drains and waterways are: • Leaves, grass clippings, tree limbs and branches • Household garbage and household hazardous waste products (such as cleaners, paints, cooking oil, etc.) • Automotive fluids, including motor oil It is extremely important to dispose of these materials properly. Together, we can keep our waterways clean! If you have questions about the required certification or to submit your certification, please contact Jessica Linders at [email protected] or 847.810.3503. PAGE 7