Saint John property owners are facing higher water and sewerage bills. The city is taking a look at a 15-year plan to treat all of its raw sewage and build a $50-million treatment plant for drinking water.

Half of Saint John's sewage is dumped untreated into the environment.

Paul Groody, the commissioner of municipal operations, made a presentation to city council Monday night. He referred to problems in Walkerton, Ont., three or four times during his presentation.

Groody is recommending a $216-million program to treat drinking water, twin water lines, and vastly expand sewerage treatment.

"The public in Saint John should be prepared for much higher water and sewerage rates," he said. "We don't think it's unreasonable to expect people to pay more for the improvement to services they will be getting."

Groody says the city has no choice. He says the work is essential to protect the health of its residents and to comply with tougher government standards he believes are coming.

Mayor Shirley McAlary says the price will have to be paid.

"If we do something every year on it, we'll eventually reach our goal," she said. "A little bit every year and it won't hurt as much."

Groody says he is also recommending the city expand its boundaries to include the entire Loch Lomond Lakes area so that rules can be imposed on their uses.