Palos Heights has hiked its water rates 22 percent for residents and businesses as a result of an increase that Chicago passed on to Alsip, which supplies the community with water.

Residents will pay $78.08 quarterly for 12,000 gallons or less of water and $23.50 for sewer. Seniors will be billed $58.56 for water and $23.50 for sewer. Unicorporated residents will pay $96.99 for water and $23.50 for sewer.

Businesses will pay $42.70 for 5,000 gallons or less of water and $8.50 for sewer, while unicorporated busineses will pay $46.97 for water and $8.50 for sewer. Schools, churches and government buildings pay a slightly lower rate.

The City Council approved the rate increases on Feb. 7.

“We’re taking a little of the pain a way…as much as we can,” said Ald. Art Philips, who chairs the city’s Water and Sewer Committee, before the meeting.

Ald. Dolores Kramarski pointed out that residents and businesses use electronic water meters to measure the amount of water used, whereas Chicago does not require the devices.

Chicago will be passing on more rate increases over the next three years as well to help repair its aging water system.