Proposed water rate hike

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Another hit to your wallet as Indiana American Water requested Thursday to raise water rates for Terre Haute, Sullivan and Farmersburg by about 30 percent.

The company is requesting an increase of about $12.50 a month.

Scott Dean said his water bill is already over $100 a month after accounting for the washing machine, dishwasher, and showers for the six people living in his home.

"That's outrageous for me," said Dean.

Dean says he was laid off in March and it's been tough enough to make ends meet.

"Right now I wouldn't be able to manage it," said Dean. "But hopefully in the long run I will."

Representatives for Indiana American Water say the Company does everything it can to cut costs and keep water rates down for its customers.

But the Company's costs were rising so they had to increase customer rates.

"Like everyone else, cost is going up," said Indiana American Water representative Daron Allen. "Fuel, power, chemicals, taxes, all of this is impacting our business"

The last water rate increase in these areas was about 2 and a half years ago.

If approved, representatives say this rate hike will take affect in Spring 2010.