Wastewater Department

Important Update on Wastewater Rate Adjustment

We understand that recent questions have been raised regarding the increase in wastewater rates. We want to assure you that this decision was not made lightly.

The rate adjustment was a necessary step to address essential repairs and upgrades to our wastewater treatment plant—a project vital to the health and sustainability of our community infrastructure.

After extensive evaluation of all possible designs and funding alternatives, we’ve taken every measure to minimize financial impact on our residents:

• Secured grant funding that reduces the total loan amount by $3 million
• Obtained an $18 million SRF loan with 0% interest, saving residents millions over the life of the loan
• Partnered with the state to increase the local food and beverage tax, helping offset the need for additional rate increases

We want you to know that we truly understand the burden rate changes can create, and your concerns are heard. We remain committed to continuing our efforts to explore future options for rate reduction, once critical infrastructure needs have been met.

Without this funding, the necessary repairs could not proceed, potentially resulting in significantly higher costs and long-term consequences for Shipshewana residents. Investing in these upgrades now allows us to avoid greater expenses down the road—and uphold our responsibility to protect the well-being of our community.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Section III - Usage Charges

A new Section 52.41 of Chapter 52 of the Town Code is hereby entitled "Usage Charges" and is enacted to read as follows:

1. Assessment. Each billing cycle, the utility billing administrator shall assess a usage charge on each wastewater account.
2. Amount. The amount of the usage charge shall equal the sum of a volume charge plus a capital charge in the following amounts:
   1. Volume Charge. The volume charge is assessed based on the customer's water usage for the billing cycle, as measured by the respective water meter, at the following rates:

      Volume Charge (per 1,000 gallons)	In-Town Rate	Out-of-Town Rate
      	$15.35	$17.65

   2. Capital Charge. The capital charge is assessed based on customer class, as follows:

      Capital Charge (per billing cycle)
      Meter Size	Meter Equivalency	In-Town Rate			Out-of-Town Rate
      		Residential & Public Authority Customers	Industrial Customers	Commercial Customers	Residential & Public Authority Customers	Industrial Customers	Commercial Customers
      Less than 1" Meter	1.00	$24.50	$69.34	$121.03	$28.17	$79.74	$139.18
      1" Meter	2.50	$61.25	$173.34	$302.58	$70.43	$199.34	$347.96
      1-1/2" Meter	5.81	$142.35	$402.84	$703.18	$163.70	$463.26	$808.65
      2" Meter	10.01	$245.25	$694.04	$1,211.51	$282.03	$798.14	$1,393.23
      3" Meter	23.03	$564.24	$1,596.79	$2,787.32	$648.87	$1,836.30	$3,205.41
      4" Meter	40.96	$1,003.52	$2,839.96	$4,957.39	$1,154.04	$3,265.95	$5,700.99
      6" Meter	92.16	$2,257.92	$6,389.91	$11,154.12	$2,596.60	$7,348.39	$12,827.23
      8" Meter	163.84	$4,014.08	$11,359.85	$19,829.56	$4,616.19	$13,063.82	$22,803.99

   3. Out-of-Town Premium. In accordance with this section, the usage charge for service to property located outside the corporate boundaries of the Town is 15% higher as compared to comparable property located within the corporate boundaries of the Town.

Know the size of your water meter (most residences are 5/8").

Know the consumption for month billed - found on water bill.