Property owners who use the City of Warren's water department can expect to pay a little more for their water beginning in July. 

On Friday, city leaders approved an increase in water rates to account for inflation and replace aging infrastructure.

The average cost for customers will go from $22.24 to $28.44.

"The water director came to us about six months ago and said, 'My cost of chemicals in the last two years, some of them have gone up 300%  and we've got to have some some relief'." city councilman, Greg Greathouse told 21 News.

In total, roughly 75,000 people will pay $6.20 more until next year. The plan is to reduce the initial water rate increase yearly until 2029 when the rate would then be 5%.

Water customers will also see a monthly service charge on their bill for water system repairs.

"This is the first time the city of Warren has implemented a service charge. That service charge will be on every account based on the meter size. And [that will]  help us mitigate the costs of infrastructure repair and replacement," Franco Lucarelli, water department director said.