Knoxville residents will see an increase in their sewer rates in the near future. The City Council has approved an ordinance which amends the sanitary sewer charges. City Manager Dick Schrad says the proposed change is a 3.5% increase in the current rate to make sure the City has the funds necessary for the future improvements that will be mandated for the waste water treatment plant. Schrad says their goal is to remain ahead of the game so that residents are not hit with a huge rate increase at some point in the future. For the average residential customer the estimated impact is $1.81 per month. The rate new sewer rates will take affect at the beginning of the next fiscal year on July 1st.