Steubenville City Council has approved final measures for its water and sewer rate increases.

The hope is that the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency sees the plan as a better investment for the city.

That change is first directing more funds toward the city’s sewer projects, which regulators say are in need of more immediate attention.

Expected to take effect Nov. 1, the base combined utility bill of water, sewer and refuse will go from $68.82 to $85.60. Then in October 2019, it will be $89.23, $93.48 in year three, $97.80 for year four and three percent annual increases every October.

These changes have to be approved by Ohio EPA in November, but council is confident this will afford them the starting point to get further outside funding like grants and loans to start replacing its underground infrastructure.