POST FALLS — Post Falls' sewer and water rates are on the rise, but an increase in garbage pickup service won't be passed along to customers.

Sewer rates will increase 7 percent per month on Oct. 1 — $3.48 for the average residential user from $49.64 to $53.12.

Water rates will rise 3 percent — 33 cents from $10.71 to $11.04 — for up to 5,000 gallons.

"We've done studies for water and wastewater and these increases are based on future capital and operations needs," said Jason Faulkner, the city's finance director.

The City Council approved fee changes after a second public hearing on the proposals on Tuesday night.

Resident Bob Flowers said he was struggling to understand why the city keeps increasing its water rates.

Faulkner told Flowers that a study recommended the amount for future operations and in case of equipment failures. Studies are done every five years to recalculate what the suggested increases should be.

Steep wastewater increases in recent years have also been driven by mandates to clean up the Spokane River, where the city's treated wastewater is discharged.

During the first public hearing, Flowers wanted to make sure the city is passing on the same 7 percent sewer increase to Rathdrum since Post Falls treats that city's wastewater. Faulkner said Post Falls does collect the increase from Rathdrum.

Other fee increases will be made to impact fees on new growth (2.8 percent) and the water hookup fee (8.3 percent).

The wastewater hookup fee will decrease 10.62 percent after the previous rate model was challenged, Faulkner said. The rate is now updated annually by city staff.

Garbage collection fees through a contract with Post Falls Sanitation are increasing 4 percent, but that hike will not be passed along to residents. It will remain at $10.93.

"The Sanitation Fund currently has enough cash in reserves to absorb any contractual increase for Post Falls Sanitation," Faulkner said.