Phoenix has taken the first steps toward increasing water rates for city residents.

A council subcommittee heard the issue Wednesday — officials want to raise rates 6 percent early next year and another 6 percent the following spring.

The city council could vote on this in mid-December — if the higher rates are approved, they’d take effect at the beginning of February. 

Kathryn Sorensen, director of Phoenix’s Water Services Department, came on The Show to talk about this.