Bloomington Utilities to increase water rates

The City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) sent a letter to its customers announcing plans to hike water usage rates by approximately 45 percent.

The CBU announced that an initial 15.45 percent increase in water rates would begin in June, after water usage bills for May arrive. The date for the implementation of the additional 30.23 percent increase has yet to be announced. 

The initial 15.45 percent increase would raise the typical customer’s bill from $18.06 to $20.85, provided the customer uses an average of 5,000 gallons per month. The change affects only water usage and does not affect storm and wastewater portions of a customer’s bill. 

In the letter to customers, CBU said that this is the first increase in water rates since 2005. According to the CBU, the increased revenue will go towards expanding the capacity of the Monroe Water Treatment Plant as well as the construction of a second water distribution main from Lake Monroe to the treatment plant.  

— J. Edward Calabro