Saskatoon residents are complaining that a hike in water rates is discouraging residents from conservation.

City council on Monday approved a new rate structure that will result in 7.5 per cent increases in each of the next three years.

"I believe the increase in water rates is ill-advised," Ryan Janzen, a resident — appropriately — of Fawcett Crescent, said in a letter to city council. "Individuals such as myself spend the extra dollars to conserve and save by purchasing low flow toilets, better shower heads, etc., only to have the city steal those savings."

Janzen said the issue should have been raised prior to the municipal elections Oct. 28.

Another angry resident said an increase in water rates was unfair.

"Now that you got us on the bandwagon in conserving water, and trying to save money, you want to up our water rates," Doreen Wilson of Hoeschen Crescent said in a letter to council. "Why don't you play fair? You increasing our water rates is dirty pool and shouldn't happen."

Despite the concerns, council approved the rate hikes, citing the need for additional revenue to pay for water and sewer infrastructure.