SAINT JOHN, N.B. – Common council gave first and second reading to the water and sewage operating budget last night but that does not mean your water rates are going up at least not yet.

Councillor Donnie Snook has asked the city manager if there is anyway to hold the water rates or at least off-set the cost in another way.

Snook says people just cannot afford any more increases.

“Many people are just in the situation that they can’t bare anymore and so my conscious wouldn’t allow me to vote in favour of the first and second readings. They’re driving people out of their homes. People are on fixed incomes.”

It’s predicted the city’s water rate could increase by 7.4%

The City Manager Pat Woods is expected to have a report back before any final increases are approved to water rates.