Lincoln Considering Raising Water Rates - KHGI-TV/KWNB-TV/KHGI-CD-Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings

The city of Lincoln is once again considering ways to make its residents conserve water.

The city hired HDR Engineering for $30,149 to advise them on the possible benefits of imposing a drought surcharge on water rates as a way to encourage less water use.

Lincoln's chief engineer Jerry Obrist says the city hasn't decided yet to impose higher rates during drought conditions, but officials are looking at the possibility of doing that.

Obrist says the goal of any such plan would be to reduce water usage, not raise more money for the city.

With the drought seeming to have no end in sight, Lincoln residents can expect some sort of mandatory water restrictions next summer as the city's water sources are spread thin once again.