The Suffolk County Water Authority is raising rates by 4.2 percent in an effort to cover costs, according to a spokesman.

Homeowners will be paying an average of $15 per year more for their water. The Water Authority says the rate increase will bring in an additional $5 million.

Water Authority spokesman Tim Motz says the additional funds will go toward rising employee costs and health benefits. A portion of that money will also be used to replace the authority's aging infrastructure.

The increase goes into effect on April 1.