The Southwestern Bartholomew Water Corporation is offering its customers the chance to give their thoughts on a requested rate increase.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is inviting written consumer comments on the utility’s rate request through June 22. The OUCC is the state agency representing consumer interests in cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). Officials expect that the review of the utility’s request and filing of testimony will be finished by June 29.

The Southwestern Bartholomew Water Corporation is a not-for-profit entity serving more than 3,000 customers in Bartholomew and Brown Counties. It is proposing a two-phase increase. Officials with the utility say that there will be increases in operating and maintenance costs with the implementation of proposed capital improvements. The utility says that among these projects are new water mains and 200,000-gallon elevated storage tank in Brown County.

The OUCC says that, according to its testimony and exhibits, the utility’s request would raise the monthly water bill for a residential customer using 5,000 gallons from $39.36 to $48.94 in the near-future, then to $52.32 in 2018. State officials add that the utility is also seeking approval to issue up to $2.23 million in long-term debt. The OUCC notes that current rates for Southwestern Bartholomew Water Corporation were approved in 2008.

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: [email protected]

• Fax: (317) 232-5923

The OUCC says it needs to receive all written consumer comments no later than June 22, 2016. Comments should include the consumer’s name, mailing address, and a reference to “IURC Cause No. 44754.”

Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC’s consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494.