Students living off campus may soon see an increase in their water bills.

At today's meeting of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, it will be decided whether to institute an increase in the average bill from $13.11 to $15.52.

The increase is necessary in order to maintain and repair deteriorating sewage pipes and a water treatment plant that is becoming ineffective due to its age, said Laura Fairbanks, Community Relations Specialist at Pima County Wastewater Management.

"Some of the pipes are more than 100 years old, and the treatment plant is over 50 years old," Fairbanks said.

The increase would affect all homes and businesses in Pima County with the exception of those who use septic systems, such as Ajo and parts of Sahuarita.

We live in a desert wher water is our most valuable resource. Two dollars a month is not too much to care for this. - Sara Haim media arts senior

The decision could phase in a 43.3 percent increase in user fees with an initial 18.4 percent increase.

The plan also includes a 50-cent charge for emergency funding and a 3 percent increase in connection fees over four years, according to the meeting's minutes.

"The increase would come into effect in stages, starting in the coming fiscal year," said Roderick Gary, community services representative for WWM.

The alternative is one of five fee adjustments the committee voted to propose.

The money accumulated from these extra fees would be used for the department's operations, maintenance, capital needs and rehabilitation of the county's sewage system facilities.

Some students living off campus said the fee increase is not too much to ask for clean water.

"Anytime it has to do with clean water, two dollars is not that bad, especially when it has to do with contamination or water leaking into the soil," said Kathleen Kuehn, a media arts graduate student.

"We live in a desert where water is our most valuable resource. Two dollars a month is not too much to care for this," said Sara Haim, a media arts senior.

Students in the residence halls will not be affected by the increase because they do not pay utility bills. But if the fees increase too much, it may cause residence hall fees to go up, Fairbanks said.

The meeting is at 9 a.m. today in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room in the Pima County Administration building, 130 West Congress Street, on the first floor. It is open to the public.