New York, NY – The city�s Department of Environmental Protection commissioner will propose a 7.5 % increase in the water rate, which will continue more than 15 years of rising rates if it�s approved.

But the proposal is the first rate increase under 10% in five years and significantly less than this year�s 12.9% hike.

The average single-family homeowner�s annual water bill would increase $61, to $877 from $816, according to a department spokesman.

Any new rate would go into effect on July 1.

(Source: WSJ)