Council approves water rate hike

*Editor's note: In the April 14 edition of the Indiana Daily Student, the common council passed a recommendation to vote on the second reading of the proposed water rate hike.\nThe Bloomington Common Council approved an 11-percent water rate hike in unanimous 8-0 vote Wednesday. This vote followed last week's vote to approve the rate hike for a second reading. The rate will now be considered by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and if approved will cost the average household around $1.66 a month, said Patrick Murphy, director of utilities for the city of Bloomington.\nThe rate reflects increased costs in three capital projects necessary to maintain the quality of Bloomington water, as well as a general increase in materials, operation costs and labor costs, Murphy said. The largest project was the Lake Monroe Water Treatment Plant improvements, which went over budget by about $2.5 million. The plant is more than 40 years old, Murphy said.\nThe issue of customers facing a surcharge for using water for major irrigation purposes surfaced again. A concerned citizen, representing 11 residents and companies, including Bloomington Country Club, told the council he thought it was unfair to charge extra fees for using water for irrigation because almost everyone uses it to water their lawns. He also informed them that a case will be heard in the Indiana court of appeals in the coming weeks.\nCommon Council Member Dave Rollo said because the rate hike applied across the board, he would approve it, satisfied that the issue over irrigation surcharges would be resolved in the court of appeals.