WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Indiana American Water employees will be conducting hydrant flushing in portions of the West Lafayette area over the next several weeks as part of the process for bringing two new water treatment facilities online. The affected are is generally located north of Meridian Street/Kingston Drive and to the north and west of Purdue University. The flushing is being done to clean out water lines and to replace the unfiltered water with filtered water from the recently completed treatment facilities.

Crews will open and flush fire hydrants from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 15 through July 3, 2009. The company conducts this program to maintain water quality and to ensure hydrants are working as they should. By opening fire hydrants under controlled conditions, sediments are flushed from the system, resulting in cleaner pipes, better water quality, and improved capacity. The program also helps to make sure fire hydrants are in good working order and that any needed repairs are made. Flushing is part of a regular maintenance program for water distribution system.

Customers may experience a slight drop in water pressure or a temporary discoloration of their water while this program is underway. Customers should refrain from doing laundry while flushing is taking place. If discoloration should occur, Indiana-American recommends allowing several cold-water faucets to run for a short time until the water runs clear. Customers who have questions regarding hydrant flushing may call our customer service center at 800-492-8373.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -– Indiana American Water today filed an application with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) requesting a $9.43 per month increase in rates for a typical residential customer.

Indiana American Water’s ongoing infrastructure investments, rising expenses related to water treatment and delivery systems, and increased operating costs are the main drivers behind today’s rate request.

The company’s request would increase the typical monthly residential water bill in the West Lafayette District, using 6,000 gallons per month, by 31 cents per day, keeping the costs of water service for most local households at about a penny per gallon.

The company will have invested approximately $198 million statewide to enhance its water infrastructure between January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2009. All these investments in local water infrastructure systems enhance water quality, service reliability and fire protection for customers.

Many communities across the country are facing a challenge of deteriorating water and wastewater infrastructure and associated rate hikes. The United States EPA says the nation’s water and wastewater utilities will need to make more than $335 billion in infrastructure investments over the next 20 years to replace thousands of miles of pipe and for upgrades to treatment plants, storage tanks and other assets to ensure public health.

Indiana American Water’s strategy is to make prudent infrastructure investments, which is more cost-effective in the long run and reduces the risk of major service and water quality issues. Much of this rate request is driven by Indiana American Water’s investments to maintain and upgrade infrastructure and ensure that drinking water service meets all quality standards.

According to West Lafayette Operations Superintendent Chris Johnsen, Indiana American Water has invested nearly $38 million in the West Lafayette District’s local infrastructure during the last 2 ½ years. The local capital improvements are numerous and include investing nearly $35 million to greatly enhance water quality by removing iron and manganese through new treatment processes at the district’s new and existing facilities. The project includes construction of a new treatment facility at Davis Ferry Road and 9th Street and adding filtration and upgrading the existing Happy Hollow treatment facility. Other investments include nearly $1.7 million to replace or relocate water mains, nearly $1 million to install new meters and service lines, as well as improvements to water pumping and storage facilities.

No rates will change until the IURC completes a comprehensive review of the request and determines it is reasonable and justified. The regulatory process normally takes about a year to complete. If approved as requested, the typical residential bill would increase by 42.55 percent. The company last filed for new rates in December 2006 and received an order from the IURC on October 10, 2007.

Indiana American Water’s rates are based on the true costs of providing water service, as reviewed by the IURC. The company works hard to operate efficiently and control operating expenses. The company’s goal is to balance that objective with the continuous need for significant capital investment to meet increasing state and federal requirements and customer needs.

Many expenses to provide water service, most notably production expenses such as chemicals used in the water treatment process, have far out-paced the rate of inflation.

Following today’s filing, a comprehensive review process by the IURC is the next step in the rate-making process. Public hearings and opportunities for public comment are part of the process, under the direction of the IURC.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — Because minor water leaks account for more than one trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes, EPA’s WaterSense program has declared March 16 to 20, 2009 the program’s first “Fix a Leak Week” to remind Americans to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.

“Leaks can account for 11,000 gallons of water wasted in the home every year, or enough to fill a backyard swimming pool,” said Indiana American Water President David Baker. “Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners more than 10 percent on their water bills. By partnering with the WaterSense program to raise awareness, we can help our customers save money and preserve the environment and meet future water needs.”

Leaks can account for 11,000 gallons of water wasted in the home every year, or enough to fill a backyard swimming pool, according to Indiana American Water President David Baker.

To help consumers across the country save water, the WaterSense program promotes ways to identify and repair dripping faucets, running toilets, and leaky showerheads. In most cases, fixture replacement parts can be installed by do-it-yourselfers and pay for themselves in no time.

Following are a few water-saving tips:

• Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and, if necessary, replace the faucet with a WaterSense labeled model.
• Leaky toilets are most often the result of a worn toilet flapper. Replacing the rubber flapper is a quick fix that could save a home up to 200 gallons of water per day.
• For a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.
• Landscape irrigation systems should be checked each spring before use to make sure they are not damaged by frost or freezing.

If homeowners have to replace a plumbing fixture, EPA reminds them to look for the WaterSense label. WaterSense labeled toilets and faucets have been independently tested and certified to save water and perform as well as or better than standard models. WaterSense also partners with certified landscape irrigation auditors, designers, installers, and maintenance professionals with water-efficiency knowledge; see www.epa.gov/watersense to find a WaterSense irrigation partner in your area. For more information on Fix a Leak Week, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.

WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and services. WaterSense labeled products must achieve independent, third-party testing and certification to prove they meet EPA’s criteria for efficiency and performance.