Sewer and water rates are increasing in the City of Washington. The city council approved the third and final reading to amend the water rates and sewer use charge at their meeting this week. At a previous meeting, Mayor Jaron Rosien explained the annual incremental increases prevents a large increase at once while helping to improve the water system, “So we could not do this and it’s the same philosophy as the 25 years before us that got in this mess, which is why we work really hard to not do big increases and not do base increases, but do small scheduled increasing. It’s part of our strategic plan about pacing ourselves. It’s part of a not fun vote, but big picture necessary votes.” The council did not change the base rates. A 3.5% increase on usage was approved. The water usage rate increases to $4.11 per 100 cubic feet of usage with the base rate the same at $17.85.