Starting April 1, Arlington residents and business owners will see an 8.6 percent increase in their water and sewer bills.

Over a two-month billing cycle, the rates for regular customers will go from the current $162.19 to $176.16, and for special rate or low-income seniors, the bill will go from $97.31 to $105.07. The increase is built into the capital budget and is aimed at improving and expanding the current water and sewer system.

City Administrator Allen Johnson said, "Nobody likes having the increase, but for the consumers it's better in increments. It is better that the increase does not affect them all at once and is spread over multiple years."

After this year water and sewer charges for both residential and business customers will be regulated by the annual regional Consumer Price Index (CPI). The United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor and Statistics defines CPI as "a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services." The CPI is used to adjust to economic conditions such as inflation and taxes, as well as the spending and usage habits of consumers.

To find more information on the CPI and how it will affect the community next year, visit the bureau's website at www.bls.gov/cpi/.

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