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Lead-pipe replacement to mean higher bills for Citizens customers

Workers with East Bay Municipal Utility District fill a trench with sand as they install new water pipe on April 22, 2021, in Walnut Creek, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana gave the green light for Citizens Energy Group to replace water service lines made of lead in Indianapolis.

It will cause the utility’s bills to be a smidge higher.

Citizens says the lines are customer-owned. The company say it does not have any active water mains that contain lead.

The first five-year phase of the program will cost $22.7 million. That would cover about 2,500 homes.

Citizens says most customers will pay 50 to 75 cents more on their monthly bill.

The energy company says it would need to invest $490 million to fully replace all the lines.