More water prices rises

Wichita, Kansas is set to follow the world-wide trend to higher water bills. The monthly water bill would increase by $2 under a proposal that the Wichita City Council is scheduled to vote on 16 June. The proposed increase comes one year after Wichita's most recent monthly water bill increase of $1 and is meant to make up for an $8.8 million shortfall in projected revenue that the water utility experienced in 2008. If passed, the rate increase would be effective with customers' August bill. There are more rate increases to come. In August, the council is expected to consider a 5 percent rate increase for next year. By 2013, a family that uses a lot of water will be paying about 30 percent more for water and sewer services.