New City of Bend water and sewer utility rates took effect on July first.  Sharon Wojda with the city says the average user will see about a $2.09 increase in their water bill during the summer and a little over a dollar in the winter.  All sewer rates will go up $2.44.  Wojda says this affects about a third of Bend's population:  “The water rate increases will affect about 24,000 customers in the city and the sewer rate increases, about 27,000 customers."   Wojda says if the city gets the requested postponement from the EPA, the rates could be reduced.  "It would have potential to reduce water rates in the near term; but what those changes in rates would be, we're not sure of at this point."  Wojda says the increases are needed to fund the aging water and sewer infrastructures.  You should see the increases in your next bill.