Rockville Centre raised the village's water rate Wednesday by 14.7 percent, with another 7.7 percent raise in order for next year.
Officials say the average annual cost for water in Rockville Centre is $404. The first rate hike would increase that total to $468, and then to $504 after the second.
Village officials say the increases are needed to pay increasing debt on bonds that were issued for water improvement projects, including water main replacements and a new iron filtration system.
They say it is the first water rate hike in seven years.