Water bills to spike in Wakarusa

 

WAKARUSA, Ind. -- The Town of Wakarusa is investing in brand-new water infrastructure for its residents, replacing its water treatment facility. Starting in September, Wakarusa residents will see their first of two water rate hikes, approved to pay for these changes.

Town Manager Holly Landis said the current water plant is unable to meet Wakarusa's current and growing demand.

"We have equipment that is timed and dated, and some that is beyond repair," Landis said.

The project is estimated to cost roughly $14.5 million. Almost $2 million is coming from a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. Another $2.5 million will come from the Wakarusa Redevelopment Commission.

That leaves a little over $10 million, which Landis said requires a loan that will raise water rates for all residents and businesses.

The first rate hike will be about 80%, the first the town will see since 2011.

"Without having rate increases, we don't have those dollars set aside for capital improvements," she said. "Unfortunately, the funds just aren't there to do the improvements that we need to benefit the community."

The second increase is planned for August 2025 and will be another 45%. So by the end of next year, residents will be paying 2.6 times what they are paying now for water.

If a Wakarusa family uses 12,000 gallons of water a month, that would cost about $56 currently. After both rate hikes, it would go up to about $146.

But leaders say the town simply needs the improvements.

"We're trying to put out about 400 gallons per minute, most things in our facility are in the 200 gallons per minute," Landis said. "So we are really pushing the limits on the equipment that we do currently have."

"From an economic development standpoint and a business standpoint downtown, we need to develop better infrastructure if we're going to continue to bring in new businesses to town, new manufacturers, new people," said Brock Rose with the Wakarusa Chamber of Commerce.