The Shreveport City council has introduced an ordinance to increase water and sewer rates.
   The final passage is scheduled for March 12.
   Councilman Oliver Jenkins said the introduction of the ordinance on Tuesday would allow public meetings and more discussion on the potential impact the rates would have on residents.
   The city's proposal would increase sewer rates by 50 percent initially in April and then incrementally over the next eight years. Water rates would initially increase by 26 percent in April and then in small increments between the years 2019 and 2022.
   The increases would apply to all city customers, including residential, commercial and industrial.
   Shreveporters last faced a water and sewer increase in 2008, with a 3 percent hike.