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In order to replace an ageing water main and keep La Conner’s clean, fresh tap water flowing, the Town Council has been asked to hike residents’ utility bills.

The biggest increase will be in the water portion of the town bills, which also include charges for sewer and storm drain services.

According to town Engineer Evan Henke, the water bill should go up 10 percent this year and by another 5 percent in each of the next two years to pay for necessary repairs and maintenance.

Meanwhile, the town’s sewer bill has an automatic increase, according to the consumer price index — which is 1.2 percent this year — and the drainage fee goes up by the consumer price index plus 5 percent.

One of the things hurting the town is its ability to benefit from a state Public Works Trust Fund loan it qualified for because the state budget eliminated most of that funding.

So, according to Town Administrator John Doyle, it is necessary to raise the rates by an amount that would be adequate to obtain bond financing.

Last week Public Works Director Brian Lease told the council that the town has about $4 million worth of water system repairs, upgrades and maintenance to perform over the next six years to keep the service up to date.

According to a report by Henke, the asbestos cement water main that brings the water south from Highway 20 is near the end of its life and about one-third of the line needs repair very soon at a cost of about $900,000.

A 10 percent increase in the water rates will bring in about $43,500 that could be used for capital expenses — enough money to make a bond payment if needed.