EAST PRAIRIE WATER RATES ARE GOING UP

EAST PRAIRIE -- The City Council has approved a $2-per-month increase in East Prairie's basic water rate for homeowners and small businesses and a $3 increase for larger water users.

City officials said the hikes were necessary because of unexpected repairs of $68,000 for a water storage tower and a lack of reserve funds.

In the past three years the city has spent about $200,000 on water projects, including a recent renovation to the water plant, which cost $60,000.