WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - The cost of washing a load of clothes, running a dishwasher and flushing a toilet will go up by 4 percent in East Baton Rouge Parish on Jan. 1.

The fee increase is necessary to pay for $1.3 billion in federally mandated sewer improvements.

An average household that uses 8,600 gallons of water a month will see bills go up by $1.50.

The Metro Council passed an ordinance in May 2003 establishing the sewer user fee.

It allows a 4 percent increase to take effect automatically each year.