SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, while softening its recent proposal for a 16.9% rate hike, said Tuesday that increases are necessary to protect the water supply and operate the system.

The comments from commission officials came during a remote meeting with the City Council, held to discuss the recent rate hike proposal and to respond to questions and strong concerns raised by councilors.

Vanessa Otero, chairwoman of the three-member Water Commission, said it is not being “alarmist” to suggest that rate increases are needed to protect the quality of the water in Springfield.

“This is reality," Otero said.