WELCOME TO ILLINOIS AMERICAN WATER.
WE’RE PROUD TO BE YOUR NEW WATER AND/OR WASTEWATER SERVICE PROVIDER.
On June 1, 2026, Illinois American Water completed the acquisition of the Prairie Path Water Company’s water and wastewater systems. As a trusted provider of safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater service to communities across the state, we look forward to delivering the same high-quality service to you.
Welcome Packet
Welcome packets will be mailed to our new customers in June, which will include:
You’re in good hands.
We have the people and technologies in place to get the job done right. Illinois American Water is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility in the state, serving approximately 1.3 million people in 148 communities. Our team of experts works hard to earn our customers’ trust and satisfaction. In fact, many of our employees are also Illinois American Water customers. We’re also proud to welcome employees from Prairie Path Water Company to the Illinois American Water team.
Plus, we have access to national resources. Our parent company, American Water, is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States, with extensive experience and a strong reputation for leadership, innovation and expertise in water and wastewater services.
Learn about our lead service line replacement program.
As part of our Lead Service Line Replacement Program, we’d like to replace lead and certain qualifying galvanized water service lines over the course of the next several years. First, we need to know where they are. If you’re a new water service customer of ours, over the next few weeks, we’ll update our online inventory map with information about your service line. If the customer-owned service line material is unknown to us, you can help by visiting illinoisamwater.com/leadfacts and reporting your customer-owned service line material online.
About your rates.
As part of the sale agreement approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), we will be adopting Prairie Path’s base rates. All other fees and surcharges are in accordance with Illinois American Water’s tariff approved by the ICC. Illinois American Water is regulated by the ICC, and any future proposed changes in rates will be subject to extensive governmental review and approval. For more information about rates, visit illinoisamwater.com/rates.
About billing.
We will continue to bill you monthly for water and wastewater service. Here’s how the billing transition will work: You will receive your first bill from Illinois American Water for water and/or wastewater service in June or July, depending on when your meter is read. The first bill may be prorated and will cover water and/or wastewater service charges from Prairie Path’s last reading through Illinois American Water’s first meter reading in June. You will be billed monthly thereafter. If you were already a water customer of ours, your wastewater charges will be included on your water bill.
If you have a past due amount with Prairie Path Water Company: Any past due balance for Prairie Path should be paid and mailed to Illinois American Water. We have several convenient payment options, including Auto Pay, paying online on MyWater (amwater.com/mywater), by phone and in person.
Important updates about billing:
- Paperless Billing: If you were previously enrolled in Prairie Path’s paperless billing program, we automatically transitioned you to our paperless billing program. Still receiving a paper bill? Enroll in paperless billing online at amwater.com/mywater.
- Managing Your Account Online: If you were previously enrolled in My Utility, we automatically enrolled you in Illinois American Water’s MyWater, IF the user ID was available AND the user ID met our security requirements. For example, the User ID cannot be an email address. Not enrolled? Enroll at amwater.com/mywater. Be sure to have your new Illinois American Water account number handy.
- Auto Pay/EFT: If you were previously enrolled in Prairie Path’s Auto Pay/EFT program, we did not receive customer banking information from your previous utility. As a result, you will need to reenroll in Illinois American Water’s Auto Pay program. You can enroll on MyWater at amwater.com/mywater or by calling our Customer Service Center.
We offer bill assistance programs.
Illinois American Water is committed to supporting our customers by offering a range of financial assistance options, including:
- Income-Based Discount Program: Residential customers making a total gross income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines receive a discount every month in the form of a credit on their water and/or wastewater bill. For more information and to see if you qualify, please visit dollarenergy.org or contact our program administrator, Dollar Energy at 1-888-282-6816.
- H2O Help to Others Program: The program, in partnership with Salvation Army agencies, provides supplemental assistance of up to $100 per household per year. To learn more, contact our customer service center at 1-800-422-2782.
- Payment Arrangements: If you cannot pay your bill by the due date, we will work with you on a plan to pay the balance over time. You can also sign up for installment plans through MyWater: amwater.com/mywater
- Budget Billing: Provides a fixed monthly payment over a period of 12 months based on the residential customer's anticipated annual billing. Visit MyWater to learn more.
To learn more: Visit illinoisamwater.com/customerassistance.
We're invested in your water and/or wastewater system.
We believe in investing in our infrastructure. We evaluate our systems and facilities, prioritize projects and make necessary capital investments to improve service. Last year alone, we invested over $280 million statewide to improve our water and wastewater treatment and pipeline systems.
In the first five years of ownership, we plan to invest $67 million to improve the quality and reliability of water and wastewater service including replacing aging water and wastewater mains, improving wastewater lift stations, modernizing water and wastewater treatment plants, identifying and replacing lead and certain galvanized steel service lines, and development of new wells.
Stay informed.
One of the most important steps you can take right now is to ensure we have your up-to-date contact information. We use a mass-notification system to keep customers informed about:
- Water-related emergencies—such as boil water notices, major main breaks, and conservation requirements.
- General alerts like planned service outages and hydrant flushing.
Emergency alerts are automatically sent to all phone numbers and email addresses on file, but you must opt in to receive general alerts. Timely updates are essential, especially as we begin work in your area.
Updating your contact information online will allow us to keep you better informed.
Please visit amwater.com/mywater and use your account number provided on your Illinois American Water bill to set up a MyWater account. Once logged in, click the Edit Info button above My Bill near the top of the page, and click the Change button under Alert Settings to update your contact details and alert preferences. Note to Landlords/Property Owners: If you have tenants who are not direct customers, they can sign up for alerts at awcodered.com or by texting WATER to 24639. Standard text, data and phone rates may apply.
We offer interpreter services in many languages.
If English isn’t your preferred language, and you have a question about your bill or any communication you receive from us, contact our customer service center.
We’re here to answer your questions.
Our customer service representatives are available to answer your questions at 1-800-422-2782, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For emergencies we’re available at this number 24/7.
You can also access amwater.com/mywater anytime to view and pay your bill, track water use, and sign up for paperless billing and more. Visit amwater.com/mywater to register. It’s that easy. Be sure to have your account number handy.
We also invite you to follow us on Facebook, X and YouTube.
It’s a privilege to serve you.
It’s a privilege to help keep your life flowing. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about us and for allowing us to serve you.