Denver’s Board of Water Commissioners has approved a proposal to adjust water rates for 2009, maintaining the utility’s conservation-oriented pricing structure that provides lower rates for low water use and charges more for summer peak usage.

Denver residential customers will see their bills increase by about $19.14 a year on average. Suburban residential customers served by Denver Water will see a $33.12 average annual increase. The effects of the changes on customer bills will vary depending on the amount of water the customer uses and whether the customer lives in Denver, or is served by a suburban distributor under contract with Denver Water. Residential water bills are issued every other month.

The Board also voted to adjust rates for commercial industrial and governmental customers, who pay seasonal water rates. The inside-city rates for customers will be adjusted from $2.47 per thousand gallons to $2.96 in the summer and from $2.06 per thousand gallons to $1.48 in the winter.

You can get more information at www.denverwater.org.