The City of Fort Wayne is challenging Aqua Indiana’s proposed sewer rate increase, which could result in a more than 30% hike for customers in southwest Fort Wayne and Allen County. The city’s opposition is based on concerns that local customers may be asked to subsidize costs associated with other communities or support unreasonable profits being sent to Aqua’s headquarters in Pennsylvania.

Background

Aqua Indiana, which provides sewer service to approximately 14,000 customers in the area, filed a notice of intent with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) in March 2026, indicating its plan to seek a rate increase. The city’s intervention in the case will allow it to participate formally in the proceedings, seek more information, review data, and challenge the requested profits and costs included in Aqua Indiana’s petition.

According to Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker, the city is concerned about the potential impact of the rate increase on local families, who are already facing higher costs. The city is also concerned that the proposed consolidation of rates among numerous Aqua Indiana systems across the state could lead to local customers subsidizing systems outside of their community.

Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.