HUETTER - Water rates in Huetter are proposed to more than double to help pay for the actual cost of the service and fund improvements to the old system.

The current rate is $12 per month and proposed to increase to $25 on Jan. 1, 2012.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposal on April 20 at 6 p.m. at the Post Falls Highway District office, 5629 E. Seltice Way.

City Clerk Lang Sumner said smaller, gradual rate hikes in recent years would have been a more logical route. But the city, until recent months, has been in disarray the past three years, determining who should be mayor and on the council after election votes were earlier questioned.

"It's nice to get that monkey off our back, so we can actually focus on doing business for the city," Sumner said. "Water increases are not popular, but the council realizes that something has to happen. Our system is dilapidated.

"It would be nice to have our infrastructure updated to the 21st century."

Sumner said the city has subsidized water for its residents.

"The actual cost for the city for the water, upkeep and repairs is about $20 per month per hookup," he said. "The city has been running at a deficit with its water system, and with our little city we need to save every penny we can get."

Sumner said $25 is comparable to or less than most area cities.

Throw in the fact that the city doesn't have water meters to monitor usage, and it's understandable to see why the city is requesting to raise the rate, Sumner said.

Sumner said the city needs a complete overhaul of its system, including a well house, well pump, new water lines and meters. The city, tucked between Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls south of Seltice Way with a population of about 100, has 36 water hookups.

The total estimated cost for the improvements is between $750,000 and $1 million. Voters approved a $500,000 bond nearly 10 years ago, which is to be split evenly between water and sewer improvements. Grants are also being sought to defray the cost.

Sumner said the plan is to start on water improvements in spring 2012, regardless of whether the rate hike is approved.

Sumner said the city has consulted the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality for guidance on its sewer and water situation and water rate.

He said tapping into Coeur d'Alene's water system would have been more economical, but that city declined since Huetter is not part of the city. Sumner said Huetter officials are not interested in their city being annexed into Coeur d'Alene.

Sumner said the city plans to issue its water bills monthly rather than quarterly as it currently does so residents don't have to pay as much during each billing cycle.

Huetter's wastewater situation also needs updated since residents are on septic systems, which is frowned upon by the Panhandle Health District, especially since the city is over the aquifer, Sumner said.

"Many of the tanks were installed in the early '60s," Sumner said.

Sumner said Huetter has also approached Coeur d'Alene about a sewer agreement, but he's not optimistic that one will be approved. Building a treatment plant is not feasible for the small city, he said.