CHERRYVALE — Cherryvale water customers will soon pay more to turn on the tap — due to a water rate hike approved by city councilors on Monday.

The new rates will affect the monthly usage fee for each water customer. The $8.00 monthly base service charge will not be impacted. Nor, will sewer rates be affected by the rate increase.

The monthly usage fee will increase by $1 for every 1,000 gallons of consumed water. For city water customers, the new monthly usage fee will be $8.00 per 1,000 gallons while rural water customer will pay $10.25 per 1,000 gallons of water.

City administrator Greg McDaniel said the additional revenue should generate about $28,000 per year, which will be used to replenish the city’s water fund and begin building long-term capital for water system improvements.

The water rate hike will be reflected in the water bills that are due on Jan. 1, 2010.

More details of the water rate hike will be printed in the Nov. 26 edition of the Montgomery County Chronicle.