Bad tasting tap water is as much of a cliche in Saint John as the potholes.
And now, Common Council is hearing the time has likely come to increase water rates for taxpayers in order to pay for the upgrades we need.
The Commissioner of Environmental Services Bill Edwards is recommending Common Council raise the water rates by 7.4% to cover the cost of updating the infrastructure.
Councillor at Large Shirley McAlary and others agree, saying it makes sense to increase the rates gradually rather than giving rate payers a big price shock all at once down the line.
The proposed rate increase works out to about $74 per year, per household, and it could go up as soon as 2013.
Council is also looking at using more meters which would let you pay only for what you use.
