The city of Raleigh proposed water rate increases could be approved today when the City Council meets.

City Council members said they want to keep rates low but with people using less water that means less money is coming in to pay for services.

Currently there are two proposals to raise rates either by 17 or 8.5 percent.

There's also the idea of a tiered system, which would charge customers based on usage.

"The tiered rates that would pick up the remainder of the increase, but would also have the lower tier for those who are conserving lower than where the rate is now," said Mayor Charles Meeker. "So a customer who conserves not only uses less water, but as of December will have a lower rate."

The city hopes the rate hike will help make up for part of the revenue shortfall.

If approved, depending on what the new rate is, the average bill would go up either $2.50 or $5 a month.

City Council is set to meet at City Hall at 4 p.m.