JUNEAU — Water and wastewater utility rates for Juneau residents and businesses will increase each year beginning Jan. 1 to help the city foot the bill for millions in long-needed infrastructure improvements.

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly adopted an ordinance increasing the utility service rates at the end of June. Water utility fees will increase by 6.5 percent and sewer utility fees by 8 percent when the year ends. They’ll continue to increase by 6.5 and 8 percent, respectively, every July through 2018.

Most Juneau residents — more than 70 percent — pay a flat rate for water and wastewater service, Public Works Director Kirk Duncan said. Right now, that’s $90.53 per month for both utilities combined; by the end of the rate increase schedule in 2018, that bill will be $130.40 per household.

The increase will help fund about $73 million in water and wastewater infrastructure improvements. These include drilling two new wells to increase Juneau’s drinking water supply, a $5.5 million microfiltration system for Salmon Creek and a new $1 million water main along Egan Drive between 10th and Main streets, Duncan previously told the Empire.