LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — Lafayette Renew has found a way to keep the cost of water and sewage bills from rising.

The boiler system that heats and treats water for the city has come to the end of its useful life. Lafayette Renew isn't just replacing the old system, it's revamping it entirely.

Along with that, the department is looking at a co-generation system, recycling and using methane created at the plant itself. That will create more energy and off-set some of the electrical costs at the plant.

Lafayette Renew Superintendent Brad Talley said that means no surprise hikes in people's bills.

"So the biggest impact in our rate pairs would be the ability for us to maintain our utility costs for years to come," said Talley.  

According to Talley, the most expensive cost at the plant is the electric bill. He said the department has also cleared a field to put solar panels in, which could potentially lower bills significantly.

"It's like a recycle process, we are able to produce methane, we are able to use that methane and create energy so it definitely helps impact the environment and helps lower our carbon footprint," said Talley.