There is still time for customers to weigh in on a proposed water rate hike that will affect water bills in parts of Bartholomew, Jennings and Decatur counties. But the Eastern Bartholomew Water corporation wants its customers to know that the increase of nearly 50 percent is needed to update badly outdated equipment that keeps their water safe.

Pete King is the attorney for the not-for-profit utility, which has more than 5,000 customers including the town of Hope.

King said the equipment was last updated in the early 1970s.

The water utility is looking at bonds of about $7.7 million dollars and expects water bills to increase from just under $23 dollars per 5,000 gallons up to almost $34 dollars.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, which advocates for the public in these cases, is looking for public comments on the proposed rate increase. You can submit your comments through May 9th and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is scheduled to hear the request in June.

Consumers who wish to submit written comments for the case record may do so via the OUCC’s Website at www.in.gov/oucc/2361.htm, or by mail, email or fax:

• Mail: Consumer Services Staff

Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor

115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South

Indianapolis, IN 46204

• email: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov

• Fax: (317) 232-5923

The OUCC needs to receive all written consumer comments no later than May 9, 2017 so that it can: 1) Consider them in preparing its testimony and 2) File them with the Commission to be included in the case’s formal evidentiary record.

Comments should include the consumer’s name, mailing address, and a reference to “IURC Cause No. 44903.” Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC’s consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494.