Shreveport city leaders are floating the idea of raising water and sewage rates to make some improvements to the sewerage system.

The U.S. Department of Justice is demanding repairs to the system, estimated to cost the city $200-300 million. City leaders say there's no money available to make the repairs. So it's possible that water rates could go up 26 percent and sewage rates could go up 50 percent.

"We have had very low water rates compared to other cities in our state and in our region for a number of years," said Council Chairman Michael Corbin (Dist. D). "Because our water and sewer department has, at best, broken even and come out many years in a deficit, we have to find some revenue sources. One of those potentials is water rates."

But there could be resistance. Councilman Sam Jenkins (Dist. G) says raising water rates should be the last possibility.

"There are some needs that need to be addressed," said Jenkins. "I know the Justice Department wants us to bring our system into federal standards. And we need to do that. But, at this particular stage, the plans that are being discussed to me may be too aggressive."