Water and/or sewer tap and connection fees for new construction projects in Pembroke could be increased soon.

The Pembroke City Council on Tuesday approved the first reading of a proposed ordinance that calls for raising the fees. The council gave preliminary approval to the item without discussion.

The higher fees would help the city cover its costs of providing water and sewer services, City Administrator Frank Etheridge said.

The city’s water and sewer tap fees are charged for hooking into the water and sewer system. While the existing water tap fee is $500, the proposed ordinance calls for the charge to be based on the size of an individual water meter.

Meters that are three quarters of an inch, 1 inch and 1-½ inch would cost $800 each, and larger ones, such as those installed at a school or a grocery store, would cost more. Meanwhile, the current sewer tap fee of $500 would be raised to $800.

For more, pick up a copy of the March 16 edition of the news.