Call to Action: Proposed 50% Water Rate Increase Would Dramatically Impact Bloomington Businesses

The City of Bloomington Utilities has filed a request with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) that would significantly increase water rates for commercial and industrial users.

For many businesses — large and small — this is not a minor adjustment. It is a material cost increase that will affect operating budgets, pricing decisions, hiring plans, and long-term investment.
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Under the proposal:

• Residential customers would see an increase of roughly 20%.
• Small businesses and large commercial users would face increases of nearly 50%.
• Irrigation users would see rates more than double.​

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​Make Your Voice Heard. The IURC will determine whether this proposal is approved. Business input matters in this process.

Attend the Public Hearing
February 25
5:45 p.m.
Bloomington City Hall

✉ Submit Written Comments by March 3
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC)
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Email HERE 
Phone: 888-441-2494

Notify the Chamber
Let us know how this proposal would affect your business so we can accurately represent the impact to state regulators.  Email or call Christopher Emge, Senior Director of Government and Community Relations.

Why This Matters
A near-50% rate increase is not a minor adjustment. For businesses across sectors—restaurants, manufacturers, healthcare providers, multi-family housing operators, car washes, and more—water is an essential operating input. Increases of this magnitude affect budgets, pricing, hiring, and long-term investment decisions.
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This Affects More Than Just Large Institutions
Small and mid-sized businesses will also feel the impact.

• Restaurants
• Manufacturers
• Healthcare providers
• Multi-family housing operators
• Car washes
• Landscaping companies
• Office buildings

Water is not optional. It is an essential input.
Sudden increases of this magnitude ripple through payroll, rent, pricing, and reinvestment decisions.

The Chamber’s Position
The Chamber supports necessary infrastructure investment and a reliable water system. However, we believe:

• Cost allocation must be fair and transparent.
• Rate increases should be predictable and phased—not sudden spikes.
• The business community’s long-term stability and competitiveness must be part of the equation.

What We Encourage Members To Do

1. Review the proposal.
2. Calculate the impact on your business.
3. Submit comments to the IURC or attend the hearing.
4. Share your feedback with the Chamber so we can represent the business community effectively.

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What Happens Next?

• The public hearing is on February 25.
• Written comments are accepted through March 3.
• An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for April 30.

Multi‑Million‑Dollar Water‑Rate…

• If approved, new rates would take effect in mid-to-late 2026. 

By: Christopher Emge

Senior Director of Government & Community Relations