City of Bloomington Utilities Sewer Rate Increase and New Credit Card Fee

The sewer rate for City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) customers will increase starting January 1, 2025. The new rate will be reflected starting in the February 2025 bills. Also, starting January 1, 2025, customers who pay their CBU bill using a debit or credit card will have a service fee. The average CBU customer should expect a monthly increase of less than $2 on their bill, but customer impacts will vary with water use and meter size. This rate change will not affect charges for drinking water or stormwater services.

The Bloomington Common Council and Utilities Service Board approved the sewer rate increase in 2022. This is the second of two phases; the first phase was 12% in 2023, and now 6% in 2025. This new rate supports continued improvements to the wastewater plants and sewer lining projects.

Customers using a debit or credit card will see a new fee of $2.50 or 3.5% (whichever is more) for payments starting January 1, 2025. Card payments over the phone will also have an additional 50¢ fee. Passing the fee to the individual customer instead of the entire customer base was requested by the Utilities Service Board to improve equity amongst CBU customers. There is no fee for paying by automatic withdrawal; customers can enroll at bton.in/auto.

There is no fee for paying by check, money order, or cash. To pay by check, money order, or cash, customers can attach payment to the top portion of their bill and mail it to PO Box 2500 Bloomington, IN 47402-2500 or drop it off at the foyer at 600 E Miller Dr, Bloomington, IN 47401. Making changes will not be an option, so any over- or underpayment will be reflected on their next CBU bill.

If customers are experiencing financial hardship, CBU has several tools available to help customers facing challenges, including payment plans and direct financial assistance. Customers can contact CBU Customer Service at (812) 349-3930 or utilities.cs@bloomington.in.gov  Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For the full schedule of rates and charges, customers may visit bloomington.in.gov/utilities/rates. More information about the rate case is available at bloomington.in.gov/utilities/rate-case.