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Indiana OKs 26-percent Indianapolis water increase

 IBJ Staff and Associated Press
February 2, 2011
Keywords
Energy & Environment, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, Indianapolis Department of Waterworks, Regulation, Utilities, Utility rates, Water
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Regulators have approved a 26-percent rate increase for customers of the Indianapolis water system, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission announced Wednesday.

The rate is less than the 33.4-percent increase the city's waterworks department requested. In a press release, the IURC said the utility's average customer will pay about $6 more per month.

The increase is on top of a 10.8 percent emergency rate increase that the IURC approved in mid-2009.

Indianapolis officials say they need the new money for about $111 million in infrastructure projects and upgrades, and to provide more financial stability.

“More than 75 percent of this increase is attributable to capital expenditures, specifically investments that will assure the integrity of the system and the quality of the water now and for future generations,” said IURC Commissioner Larry Landis in a written statement.

Landis said one out of every four dollars being spent on the capital projects are needed for the city to comply with "environmental mandates handed down by the federal government.”

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  • Tapped out
    Drowning in increasesFebruary 4, 2011 10:25 AM
    When are the citizens of Indiana going to wake up and revolt against this madness? They were already approved for an increase and now our water will have incresaed by more than a third?!?

    Duke went up as well as did Vectren. When are we going to realize then average person is one utility bill away for a shelter?
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • They Got All They Wanted
    Rob BurtonFebruary 3, 2011 2:27 PM
    We get hosed! The numbers story indicates that of the most recent increase, 75% is for capital expenditures and 25% of that is for Federal mandates. I want to know what the 10.8% emergency increase was for, and what the remaining 25% of the latest 26% increase is for. In addition, I hasten to remind IBJ readers that 26% on top of 10.8% is not 36.8%. It is 39.61%. This appears to be another very cozy relationship between regulators and the regulated. The IBJ and that other big newspaper in town need to do some very thorough investigative reporting.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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