BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Residents will soon pay more for sewer service after the Bakersfield City Council approved a multi-year rate increase during a meeting on Wednesday, following months of public opposition.

According to the approved plan, the city’s annual sewer rates will increase from $247 to $475 starting on July 1. The rates will then increase by $100 per year, reaching $875 by July 2030.

During the meeting, one speaker criticized the city’s handling of sewer system upkeep, saying, “Shame on all of you that have failed to do the maintenance that’s needed, and now you’re asking taxpayers to cough up these large amounts of money. People can’t afford it.”

RELATED: Bakersfield City Council delays sewer rate hike talks after hours of public comment

Council members debated several alternatives before approving the proposal in a 5-2 vote. Vice Mayor Manpreet Kaur pushed to deny the increase altogether. Councilman Eric Arias proposed a one-time assistance program for low- and fixed-income homeowners, but that motion failed.

RELATED: About 30% of addresses missed Prop 218 sewer rate notices; corrected mailers sent out

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City officials said the increases are needed to help pay for major infrastructure upgrades tied to Bakersfield’s sewer system and wastewater treatment plants.