Water Company Will Request Rate Increase

The Louisville Water Company will make its annual request for a rate increase Tuesday.For the last two years, the company has raised rates 6.5%. Spokesperson Barbara Crow says this year, they’re expecting a similar increase.“We have to deal with increasing costs of supplies and utilities and workforce increases and health insurance," she says. "So just like a regular customer, we have to budget accordingly.”Crow says the company plans to ask the Board of Water Works for an increase between 5.5% and 6.5%. The company is owned by the city but receives all of its revenue from customers. Crow says some of this year’s increase will go toward infrastructure to bring Louisville into compliance with federal drinking water standards that take effect in 2012.