Water and sewer rates in Grapevine will rise by 18 percent starting in October, with City Council approval of an increase Tuesday.

Under the combined water/wastewater increase the average residential bill will rise from about $64 a month to about $75 a month.

A city staff review shows rates have not been adjusted since 2002. The same review says the cost of water is going up, and the city's aging systems need replacement or repair.

Council member Sharron Spencer and Mayor Pro Tem Shane Wilbanks both objected to the increase and voted against it. Spencer said she thought the water and sewer fund last year had a large fund balance.

The water and sewer fund is designed to break even every year—Mayor William D. Tate said the city should have increased rates before now to keep up with maintenance and the higher cost of water.

The rate increase was already in the budget the council approved Sept. 10.