The mayor of New Plymouth wants to hike rates by 12 percent to get on top of the city's crumbling water infrastructure woes.
That bumper rise would only mark the start of a decade of steep rises to the annual bill.
Neil Holdom is also calling for the introduction of water meters - but promises it won't lead to private ownership.
Sceptical councillors say the cost is too much and the city can save cash elsewhere.
Taranaki Whangauni reporter Robin Martin has more.
