Austin Water Utility recommended several changes to Austin City Council, including a rate increase, that would take effect with the fiscal year 2013 budget.

According to documentation provided by AWU, the typical water customer would see a $6.77 increase in his or her monthly water bill, starting with the October cycle.

AWU Assistant Director David Anders said that in practice, more than half of the utility's customers—about 53 percent—use less than 6,000 gallons per month on average.

The proposal could lower bills for some customers because the revenue stability fee would be removed, and instead there would be a minimum charge. For the lowest tier of users, that monthly charge would be $2, as opposed to the $4.40 revenue stability fee.