A 10-percent rate increase for water service is on tap for Kirkwood residents.

On Thursday, the Kirkwood City Council voted 5-to-0 in favor of a measure to increase the rate. Councilman Paul Ward was absent from the meeting. The move would raise the average household's monthly bill from $36.67 to $40.33.

Kirkwood owns and operates its own water utility and maintains about 135 miles of water mains. The city repairs on average 150 water main breaks each year.

"Right now, we are replacing 2 percent of our water mains per year," said Tim Rajchart, director of the city's Water Department. He estimated that the oldest water mains still in use today date back to the early 1900s. 

Rajchart added that Kirkwood funded a large water main replacement program several years ago, but said those funds will run out in 2012. He estimates the rate hike will bring in an extra $450,000 a year, most of which will be used to replace water mains. 

For tips on water efficiency, visit the department's website.

In other business, the council approved a request by the Magic House to extend the museum's evening hours for outdoor activities. Specifically, outdoor activities, including music and amplified sound, will be permitted in front of the Magic House from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. year round. Meanwhile, activities behind the building will be allowed until 8 p.m. from April 1 to October 31. However, no loudspeakers or music will be allowed.

Also at the meeting, the council:

• agreed to a $593,823 contract renewing city insurance through A.J. Gallagher Risk Management Services;
• approved a bid of $37,374 for a live-scan electronic fingerprinting system from Morphotrak for the police department;
• and accepted a proposal from ISG Tech to upgrade the city's email system for $10,950.