For the third year in a row sewer rates are going up in Altoona.
 
On Thursday, Water Authority board members voted to approve a 12 percent increase for next year as part of a of a four-year plan to fund a pair of sewer plant projects designed to protect the Chesapeake Bay.
 
Raising the rate will help pay back $51 million borrowed to help pay for the $64.5 million upgrades to the Westerly and Easterly treatment plants.
 
In a little good news out of Thursday’s meeting, there will be no water rate increase next year.