Under a new city of Ottawa staff proposal, water and sewer bills in the Capital could increase nine per cent every year until 2010.
If the proposal is adopted, average water bills are expected to increase about $140 over the next three years.
Dixon Wier, Ottawa's director of water services, says there are a number of factors driving costs up.
In the meantime, Wier says residents should familiarize themselves with city programs that can help them control their water bills.
"We have a number of programs here in terms of water efficiency, water conservation, these are all opportunities for residents to make sure that they're in control of the cost of their water services," he said.
