INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Water officials on Wednesday asked for a 35 percent rate hike, just months after a double-digit increase took effect.

Waterworks officials said the capital would be used to make a $111 million investment in the city's drinking water infrastructure, including several federally mandated projects, 6News' Rick Hightower reported.

"We have many different projects related to the distribution system that we need to fund to ensure that we provide quality drinking water and a sufficient supply," said Matthew Klein, of Indianapolis Water.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approved an 11 percent increase this summer after the company slipped into debt amid the recession.

If approved by the IURC, customers could see the increase next summer. Officials said the average bill would go up by $8.

About $32 million would be used for the distribution system, and $27 million would be used for an alternate intake at White River.

About $23 million would keep up with unfunded mandates from the Environmental Protection Agency and state. The rest of the increase would fund pumping station upgrades and repairs to the Broad Ripple Dam and canal.

There will be public hearing held on the proposed rate increase in January and May. If reaction 6News gathered Wednesday is any indication, the public is not ready to swallow this increase.

"I'm a single parent. I can't afford any more," said Gloria Carter. "You can only make so much, and you can only pay out so much. This is ridiculous."

Steven Williams' water bill would increase about $15 a month.

"I'm dealing with my grandbaby and my kids … and trying to make the bills work, and then water going up -- that's ridiculous," he said.

About 1 million customers are on Indianapolis Water's system.

More Information:

Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission

Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor