PETITION TO THE VILLAGE OF PLAINFIELD CITY COUNCIL REGARDING SECOND WATER METER OR SUMMER SEWER CREDIT OPTIONS

We, the undersigned residents and property owners of the Village of Plainfield, Illinois, hereby respectfully submit this petition to the Plainfield Village Council and Mayor John Argoudelis, requesting consideration and action regarding the current water and sewer billing policies related to outdoor water usage.

WHEREAS, the Village of Plainfield currently does not permit the installation of secondary water meters dedicated to irrigation or other outdoor water usage purposes; and

WHEREAS, the Village likewise does not offer a seasonal sewer credit program to account for water that does not return to the sanitary sewer system—such as water used for lawn irrigation, gardens, landscaping, and pool filling; and

WHEREAS, residents of neighboring municipalities, including Oswego, Joliet, and Naperville, are provided with one or both of these cost-saving mechanisms, thereby supporting responsible water use and promoting fairness in utility billing; and

WHEREAS, recent climate trends have resulted in prolonged dry periods and record-high summer temperatures, increasing the need for residential outdoor water use to maintain property and community standards; and

WHEREAS, residents of Plainfield are currently incurring disproportionately high water and sewer bills—often ranging between $400 and $600 per month during peak summer usage—creating a significant and undue financial burden on families and homeowners;

NOW, THEREFORE, we respectfully petition the Village Council to:

1. Amend the municipal code to allow for the voluntary installation of a secondary water meter by residents for the exclusive purpose of outdoor water use; or
2. Implement a seasonal sewer credit program that adjusts sewer charges during specified months to account for water used outdoors and not returned to the sanitary sewer system.

We urge the Village to act in a manner that is equitable, environmentally responsible, and reflective of best practices adopted by neighboring communities. We thank the Council and Mayor for their attention to this matter and look forward to a timely and favorable resolution.