Look for sewer rates to increase next year — the first time Austin will have upped prices since 2001.

City council discussed the issue during a Tuesday work session and decided to bring the matter to the full council for approval at its next meeting.

Two rates are in fact scheduled to go up — the fixed cost and the flow charge.

Currently, residents pay $6.10 per month as a fixed cost. That number would go up to $7.25.

Residents also pay $1.66 per unit, or 750 gallons, right now. In 2010, a unit would cost $1.85.

1. Thief River Falls, $9.76/per month (average)

2. Crookston, $13.75

3.St. Michael, $15.28

4. Rogers, $15.45

5. Winona, $16.71

6. Alexandria, $18.00

7. St. Cloud, $19.19

8. Owatonna, $19.64

9. St. Joseph, $20.50

10. Austin, $22.74

Source: City of Austin document

An average home uses about 10 units per month, city engineer Jon Erichson said.

Austin has among the lowest average monthly wastewater bills for residents in the state, at $22.74.

Even with an increase, Austin’s rates would still be near the low end of the list, Erichson said.

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

If the city does in fact approve the new rates, it would mean the cost of water coming in and going out would 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.