BAY CITY -- It’s been a long battle, and now Bay City residents will be forced drained more money for their water.

Bay City water and sewer rates are going up starting this Saturday, after the commission approved a new customer service charge.

Beginning October 1^st, customers will see the new $3 charge added to their bills, and that’s not the end of the price hike. Starting next July, Bay City residents will be paying $6.50 more a month for the services.

In August of this year, leaders said the city needed to slash $1.8 million from the water fund.  They proposed rate increases, and considered cutting eight water department workers.