Water and sewer rates are going up in the city of St. Joseph.

City commissioners on Monday approved the increase after a lengthy presentation during a work study last month. Finance Director Ben Reynnells told commissioners the rate hikes are needed to fully support the system water fund, the city water fund, and the sewer fund.

“We are proposing to increase the rates,” Reynnells said. “The system water rate by 5%, the city water rate by 7%, and the sewer rate by 13%…The typical user uses like 9,000 gallons or thereabouts. Their bill will go from $202.92 to $221.32.”

In all, Reynolds said the amount paid by the typical user would go up by about 9%.

These rate hikes have been planned over a period of several years to pay for infrastructure improvements systemwide.