Gloucester residents will see a slight increase in their water and sewer bills, beginning July 1.

Following a public hearing Tuesday night in the colonial courthouse, the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors voted 7-0 to raise utility rates 5 percent, following the recommendation of a 2011 study conducted by a consultant to help the ailing system become more self-sustaining.

The consultant recommended the 5 percent increase for two consecutive years, and this is the second year for the increase. Next year’s county budget that was adopted in April also takes into account the increase in rates.

Ware district resident Nathan Brown, also a member of the county’s Public Utilities Advisory Committee, voiced his displeasure about the rate increase during the public hearing.

"Water use is dropping and we keep raising the rates," Brown said. "All that does is encourage people to buy more efficient appliances."

Brown suggested the county focus on making more fixed cost...