The city council officially voted Monday to increase sewer user rates in Austin, effective Jan. 1, 2010.

Residents will now pay a fixed rate of $7.25 per month and $1.85 for every 750 gallons used — up from $6.10 and $1.66, respectively.

It will be the first increase for the city since 2001, which currently has the 10th lowest average monthly bill for residents in the state.

Even with the increase, Austin’s rates will still be near the low end of the list, city engineer Jon Erichson said.

The higher rates will also bring in roughly $306,000 in additional funds.

The council also voted to approve the same new rates for Mapleview and the Belleman Addition.

With the increase, it means the cost of water coming in and going out have both increased recently.

Austin Utilities announced in June that water rates were going up.

That increase equated to about five cents for every 750 gallons used, and the utility company also got rid of a provision that dropped the rate after a certain usage point.

Austin Utilities support service director Kim Duncomb said that system essentially rewarded high water usage.