If you want any say about your water bill going up, now is your chance to weigh in. 

The Philadelphia Water Department announced a series of public meetings to be held throughout July for utility customers to discuss the proposed rate hike.

Currently, the average monthly bill is $57.43. If adopted, the rate would go up $3.52 in October 2012, a 6.1 percent increase. Over the next four years, the rate would gradually increase, with the eventual average monthly bill totaling $73.82 in 2016.

In a news release, the Water Department said the increase would boost revenue $316.2 million from October 2012 through June 2016. 

“Water rates fund the day-to-day operation of our 6,000-mile water and sewer pipe network, pumping stations, water and wastewater treatment facilities. They support a host of programs that ensure that our product ranks among the top in the nation,” Deputy Finance Commissioner Joseph Clare said in a news release.

“They also ensure that the system will work for decades to come. The proposed new rates will allow PWD to meet all of our operating expenses and fund extensive capital improvements to protect the infrastructure and in turn, protect residents from flooding during increasingly intense rainstorms.”

Locally, PWD hosts a meeting at Roxborough Memorial Hospital July 10 at 6 p.m. That's the second of five meetings. 

Others will be held:

• July 9—509 S. Broad St. 10 a.m. to noon
• July 12—9801 Frankford Ave. 6 to 8 p.m.
• July 16—Broad & Master Sts. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• July 17—5240 Chestnut St. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

PWD proposes the increase for Oct. 1.

Click here for a breakdown from PWD.