East Moline Utility Improvements

Last Updated: January 30, 2025

Evaluating East Moline’s Utility Systems

The City of East Moline has hired experts to study our water and sewer systems. This study is critical because it helps us keep these essential services safe and reliable for our community. As our infrastructure ages and the demand for services increases, we need to know what repairs and upgrades are necessary. This way, we can avoid costly emergencies and prepare for future needs while following the federal and state requirements.   High-priority repairs and upgrades were identified to help us maintain our systems, prevent costly emergencies, and comply with federal and state regulations. These critical improvements need to be completed within 10 years – and they come with significant costs. We’re working with an experienced team to develop funding strategies to address these critical improvements and secure the future of our utility services. 

It’s Not Just Pipes and Sewers — It’s What Keeps Our Community Safe

Clean water comes into our homes, allowing us to safely cook, clean, and bathe. It also supports our businesses, making manufacturing, agriculture, and production possible.  Stormwater systems help keep our roads from flooding, and wastewater treatment protects our environment and drinking water source – the Mississippi River – by removing household and business contaminants such as bacteria, detergents, oils, manufacturing byproducts, and other harmful products that we flush down our faucets and toilets. Every part of this system works together to ensure public health and support our community.

By investing in these utilities now, we’re not just fixing what we have — we’re creating a safer, stronger future for everyone in East Moline.

Comply with Federal and State Mandated Regulations

Federal and state regulations are constantly evolving, and municipalities like East Moline are tasked with ensuring compliance. These regulations ensure our water remains safe to drink and help reduce pollution in rivers and lakes.  Complying with these regulations is not optional - it must be done. We are diligently working to meet these requirements, but the rising costs of upgrades, maintenance, and testing pose significant challenges. Without critical improvements, our utilities will fall short of regulatory requirements, and aging infrastructure nearing the end of its lifespan could jeopardize the health and safety of our community

 What Needs to Be Done?

Here’s a quick look at high priority projects needed over the next 5-10 years:

1. Replacement of lead service lines for drinking water, as required by federal mandate.

2. Upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plant to comply with state phosphorus removal mandates by 2030. Phosphorus is a nutrient that, in high concentrations, becomes toxic and can devastate the delicate balance of life in our rivers and lakes.

3. Replacement of the clearwell at the Water Treatment Plant, which is damaged and at risk of failing. Clearwell replacement is an urgent need as it is an important part of the process to disinfect and store drinking water.

4. Replacement of deteriorating water and sewer lines to prevent costly failures.

5. Stormwater drainage improvements and compliance with FEMA’s flood protection levee mandates.

Utility improvements will be implemented in phases, with the “must be done” upgrades completed within 5 years, and other priority upgrades completed within 10 years.

These improvements require significant investment. The City is committed to transparency and will work to minimize the impact on residents and businesses.

An in-depth look at critical improvements can be found here.

Cost and Funding

We are committed to creating a thoughtful, forward-thinking plan of action and strategy for funding these critical utility upgrades.

The upgrades will be completed in two phases:

• Phase 1: The most critical projects will be completed in the first 5 years, costing an estimated $102 million.
• Phase 2: Additional priority projects will be completed within 10 years, costing an estimated $57 million.

Below is a summary of the funding strategies adopted by the City Council: 

• Gradual Utility Rate Adjustments: Beginning in 2025 the average residential customer will see an increase of approximately $12.10 per month, with rates gradually rising annually through 2029.  Rates depend on usage (for water and stormwater) and apply to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. A future analysis will take place to determine rate adjustments for 2030-2034.  
  
  
• Long-Term Borrowing: The City will utilize bonds to spread costs over time. Such bonds will be paid through increased utility rates. However, due to being a non-home rule community, the city is limited to borrow for only 20 years, whereas, Home Rule communities can borrow for up to 40 years.  The City Council recently voted to put the home rule referendum question on the April 1, 2025 ballot.  If approved, the city could then borrow for up to 40 years, allowing to spread infrastructure costs over an additional timeframe and potentially reducing annual costs to customers.
  
  
• Grant Opportunities: The City will actively pursue federal and state funding to offset infrastructure expenses. 

At its January 21, 2025 meeting, the City Council approved setting utility rates for the next five years, effective February 1, 2025, as follows. Please note that 2024 rates are included for reference. 

Water Utility Rates   (for all classes of customers) (Effective February 1, 2025)

Sewer Utility Rates (Effective February 1, 2025)

Stormwater Utility Rates   (for all classes of customers) (Effective February 1, 2025)

The City recognizes the financial burden these adjustments may impose and is committed to minimizing the impact. A relief program for qualifying low-income residents will also be established to assist households. Additional details on this program will be shared on this page as the program is finalized.  Please check back regularly for more updates. 

Get the Facts

View the latest factsheet for more information on the utility study and costs.

Factsheet - December 12, 2024

Your Input is Important to Us

Your thoughts matter as we make decisions that affect our community. Contact our office at 309-752-1599 or email.

Presentations and Documents

PowerPoint Presentation - Council Meeting - November 18, 2024

Water, Sewer, and Storm Rate Study - December 9, 2024

Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Utility Rate Ordinance 2025-29 - Passed 1-21-2025

Utility Bill Insert - Rate Adjustments - - Effective February 1, 2025 

Ordinance 24-21 - An ordinance of the City of East Moline establishing water, sewer and stormwater rates, derived from a study by HDR Engineering, Inc.