Wichita city council members have approved increases for water and sewer rates for 2021.

Public Works Director Alan King said the increases are needed for improvements in equipment and facilities, along with operating costs.   King said the water and sewer system has some big challenges ahead and 80 percent of the revenue from the rate increases will go toward capital needs, with 20 percent for operating costs.

King said a federal loan for a new water treatment plant in northwest Wichita will combine with engineering and savings programs to keep rate increases stable over the next ten years.  He said the rate increases are among the lowest for cities of comparable size, and the increases are below the national average.

Water rates will be up 6.5 percent for water and sewer rates will go up 3.25 percent for 2021, for a combined rate increase of 5.17 percent.   The residential water rates will depend on water usage, with low users up $2.41 a month, mid-level users up $3.66 and high users up $7.83 a month.  Commercial users will see an increase of $31.33 a month and industrial users will have an increase of $2,910.