Your water bill may be a little higher in the near future.

Clinton's water rates will be going up in the near future. John Wise, commissioner of public property explains each year his department looks at their rates versus the costs of the department. He says to keep up with the rising costs the department has to providing water to residents, the rates will be going up soon. Residents will be receiving a letter in the mail explaining more.

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Wise says the cost of all commodities are going up. He adds he has tried to hold off on raising the rates but because again of the rising costs of the equipment they use, they will be implementing an increase.

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According to Wise, he does as much as he can to keep rates from going up and to keep all residents with water coming to their homes. He says there are going to be changes as well regarding collections. He tries to be as forgiving and understanding with times being as tough as they are but the department will be more strict in their collection methods.

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Wise calls the increase is a necessary evil.