Water bills for the average home in Windsor are rising roughly $79 a year and sewage rates an additional $225.

Mayor Eddie Francis was frank in explaining why the hike wasn't gradually implimented over the past 10 years to reflect the true cost of replacing the city's network of antiquated pipes,

"Part of the reason it was never addressed is politics.  Pure and simple.   I know it sounds ridiculous..but this was the very first time that a comprehensive study was done to determine what a proper rate should be.  In the past they just picked a number out of the air and said this is it."