CORRECTS average increase for St. Charles County customer in 3rd graf

Missouri-American Water Co. asked the state on Friday to approve rate increases for customers in St. Louis, St. Charles and Warren counties.

In St. Louis County, the company is seeking an increase of $5.39 a month for an average residential customer using 7,500 gallons a month. The increase would raise the bill to $30.33 a month.

In St. Charles County, the average home customer would get a bill of about $36.17 a month — an increase of $6.93 from the current charge.

A typical Warren County residential customer would see a rate increase of $11.38 a month — 24.83 percent — to $57.21. The company, which serves about 400 customers in Warren County, also is seeking a sewer rate hike there.

Customers of some other water systems in the county already face rate increases. Recently, the board of Public Water Supply District 2, the St. Charles City Council and St. Peters Board of Aldermen have approved rate hikes for their systems.

Missouri-American says its needs the increase to continue system upgrades including moving water mains for the Highway 141 and Page Avenue projects. The company also is replacing some fire hydrants, water meters and service lines and upgrading water plants.

A year ago, the Missouri Public Service Commission allowed the company to increase rates by $34.5 million a year. The commission can take up to 11 months to consider the new request.