Beginning January 1, 2026, your sewer rate will be adjusted to reflect updated treatment costs from the Northwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility (NWRWRF). The NWRWRF, owned and operated by the Village of Fox Lake, provides wastewater treatment services for our community as well as several others in northwest Lake County, including Round Lake Beach, Round Lake, Round Lake Heights, Round Lake Park, Hainesville, Volo, Harbor Ridge, and more.
The Village of Lake Villa participates in an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Lake County Public Works and the Village of Fox Lake. Under this agreement, Lake County owns and maintains the sewer infrastructure from our municipal system to the Fox Lake treatment plant. Your sewer bill reflects a Lake County wholesale rate that includes both Lake County’s and Fox Lake’s treatment costs.
We understand that multiple rate adjustments within a short period can be difficult, and we want to be transparent about the source of these changes. The Village of Lake Villa does not set or control the Fox Lake treatment rate. These rates are determined independently by the Village of Fox Lake and Lake County Public Works based on operational needs, regulatory requirements, and long-term planning. The Village’s role is to pass through these costs as part of our regional wastewater service agreement. We remain committed to keeping residents informed and ensuring all utility costs are communicated clearly and transparently.
The Fox Lake treatment rate has remained unchanged since 1992. However, after a comprehensive 2025 Rate Study reviewed by the NWRWRF’s Technical and Policy Advisory Committees, several critical facility upgrades and regulatory compliance projects have been identified for the next five years. For more information, visit NWRWRF's FAQ online.
Current Total Rate: $8.24 per 1,000 gallons
New Total Rate: $11.23 per 1,000 gallons
Minimum Monthly Charge: Increasing from $12.36 to $16.85
The total sewer rate is made up of three components, each charged per 1,000 gallons:
While the Village and County portions remain stable, the Fox Lake treatment charge accounts for the majority of the increase.
The Village does not treat wastewater locally. Instead, wastewater is conveyed to the Northwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility in Fox Lake, which recently adopted its first major rate increase since 1992. The adjustment supports state and federal phosphorus removal requirements, critical infrastructure upgrades, and long-term system reliability.
The new rate applies to usage beginning January 1, 2026. The January 16, 2026 billing cycle will reflect both old and new rates.
Questions? Contact Village Hall at 847-356-6100 or email utilitybilling@lake-villa.org.
Site Design and Content Management