WASA Water Rates Could Go Up 7.5 Percent

WASHINGTON - The D.C. Water and Sewer Authority holds a public hearing Wednesday evening on a rate increase proposal that could raise water and sewer rates for most customers by 7.5 percent.

The hearing is aimed at providing customers to comment on the proposal before members of the WASA board vote on the measure in September.

The rate hike could raise the combined water and sewer rate for city customers to $5.47 per 100 cubic feet. That's an increase of 38 cents over current rates. Officials say the increase could boost a typical residential bill by about $3.42 a month beginning in October.

The WASA hearing is being held downtown to give more customers an opportunity to attend. The hearing begins at 6:30 p.m. at the headquarters of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on North Capitol Street.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)