A Monroe County not-for-profit rural water company is seeking to increase water rates by nearly 40%.
Van Buren Water, which serves around 2,500 residential customers in Monroe County, is requesting financial authority and a rate increase. According to case filing, this is due to higher operating and maintenance costs and the need for repairs and replacements of the Mt Zion & Rockport Road Water Lines. If the utility’s request goes through, rates for residential customers using 4,000 gallons of water monthly would increase from $31.60 to $43.86, a 38.79% increase.
The average family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day according to the Environmental Protection Agency. This would mean average families use roughly 9000 gallons a month.
Van Buren Water mailed written notices of the increases to customers.
The utility filed the case Jan. 13 through the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Small Utility Filing Procedure, a commission designated to reduce time and expenses involved for utilities with fewer than 8,000 customers. For customers, this could mean fewer expenses are passed on because utilities may not be required to have attorneys and expert witnesses, according to the press release.
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, a state agency that represents consumer interests in cases before the IURC, is reviewing the utility's request and expected to file a report and recommendations by April 14.
According to an OUCC press release, the IURC will hold a public field hearing from 6-9 p.m. April 2 in the Olcott Young Room of the Monroe Convention Center at 302 S. College Ave. Here consumers can comment on the pending rate request, but utilities do not answer questions or make presentations during the hearing since it is focused on public input. Commissioners are not allowed to answer questions about the case as well, since they will be making the decision after evidence, the OUCC report and intervening parties. Consumers are encouraged to arrive by 5:45 p.m. to hear an overview of the procedures and case process.
Consumers can also provide comments on the OUCC’s website or by emailing uccinfo@oucc.in.gov. Those interested can also mail written comments to “Public Comments, Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, 115 W. Washington St. Suite 1500 South, Indianapolis, IN 46204.” Comments will be taken no later than April 7.
Following the public hearing, the OUCC will release the results of the review through a report to the IURC, including formal testimony. The OUCC is expected to file this report on April 14.
A final decision is expected later this year.
