Testing water samples at the city of Round Rock's Environmental Services Laboratory could see some increase in cost following actions of the City Council.

City Council approved on first reading Jan. 12 $5 increases to the cost of eight-hour and 24-hour E. coli presence testing from $20 to $25 per sample and 18-hour and 24-hour E. coli enumeration tests from $25 to $30 per sample.

Michael Thane, director of the city's utilities and environmental services departments, said Round Rock is one of few cities in the area that operates its own laboratory and offers bacteriological testing, and it is used to monitor its own wastewater at the Brushy Creek East Wastewater Treatment Plant. Other nearby cities and water and wastewater utilities utilize the lab to test their samples, generating revenue, he said.

The action could become final after a second reading at an upcoming council meeting.