The Round Rock City Council approved May 9 a slight increase in residential and commercial water and wastewater rates for 2015 and 2016.

Rates will be unchanged through 2014.

The rate increase is needed to recover costs associated with maintenance of our growing treatment and distribution system as well as capital costs.

Round Rock utility customers pay for water through a volume rate and a monthly service charge.

Residential customers currently pay a volume rate of $2.35 per 1,000 gallons. Effective Jan. 1, 2015, the volume charge will be $2.42 per 1,000 gallons. On Jan. 1, 2016, the rate will be $$2.49 per 1,000 gallons.

The monthly service charge for residences is currently $13.84 per month. Effective Jan. 1, 2015, the charge will be $14.26. On Jan. 1, 2016, the charge will be $14.69.

Sewer rates will increase as well. Volume rate is currently $3.23 per 1,000 gallons. In 2015 it will be $3.29 and in 2016 it will be $3.39. Service charge is currently $12.63. In 2015 it will be $12.88 and in 2016 it will be $13.27.

The overall impact to customers will be 2.5 percent in 2015 and 3 percent in 2016.

Round Rock’s utility rates remain among the lowest in Central Texas, even with the future increases.