The board of rural water system that serves 11 counties in central Iowa has canceled a meeting tonight on a huge rate increase after hundreds of customers protested.

The meeting by the Xenia Rural Water District board of director was to discuss a rate increase that would have been 63% for the typical customer.

The district was looking to find a way to pay its debt that has grown to 141-million dollars. Boardmembers say they will continue talks with creditors to try and minimize the rate increase. They say a rate increase is still anticipated, but hope it will be less than the 63%.

Radio Iowa