Notice of Water Infrastructure Fee Increase

Dear Residents of Sleepy Hollow,
Our community's access to clean, reliable drinking water is an essential service, and protecting it is one of the Village's highest priorities. While Sleepy Hollow purchases its water from the City of Elgin, the Village is responsible for the critical network of water mains that deliver this water supply to your home. 

Unfortunately, current water system revenues are no longer keeping pace with the rising costs of maintenance and replacement. The cost of replacing one foot of water main has more than doubled over the last decade from $150 in 2014 to $350 today-an increase of 133%. In the past six years, the Village has repaired dozens of water main breaks at an average cost of $6,000 per repair. These emergency fixes are costly and temporary; and they do not solve the root problem: the Village infrastructure is aging far beyond its intended lifespan.

The east side water mains, installed 68 years ago, have significantly outlasted their 40-50 year useful life. To maintain system safety and avoid even greater emergency expenses in the future, the Village must begin replacing these critical lines now.

The Water Infrastructure Fee.
Beginning with the April 2026 billing cycle (due in May), the Village has implemented a $50 monthly Water Infrastructure Fee. Every dollar collected for the Water Infrastructure Fee will be dedicated exclusively to rebuilding and modernizing the Village's water main system. No portion of this fee will be used for general
Village operations or for other water system costs. By utilizing a "pay-as-you-go" water main replacement schedule, the Village will avoid interest-bearing loans/bonds, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in financing costs and ensuring your investment stays in our community.

Long-Term Infrastructure Plan.
The water main replacement schedule prioritizes the most deteriorated and frequently repaired sections first:
      • 2026 Project: Replace the Hillcrest water main (Thorobred Lane to Locust). This is the highest-priority section. Estimated cost: $966,000.
      • 2028 Project: Replace the Winmoor section (Thorobred to Glenn Oak). Estimated cost: $567,000 (based on current pricing).
      • 2030 Project: A third project will be initiated, with the location determined by ongoing system performance assessments and break frequency.

These improvements will strengthen the reliability of the Village water system, reduce emergency repair costs, and protect the value of every home in Sleepy Hollow. Delaying these projects would only mean paying much more later.

We understand that any fee increase is a significant burden. We deeply appreciate your partnership and support as we invest in the future of our Village to secure a safe and reliable water system for generations to come.

More information will be forthcoming: to receive alerts and notifications from the Village website, please register at https://www.sleepyhollowil.org/portal

With gratitude,
President Boe and the Board of Trustees
Village of Sleepy Hollow