A quarter million water-users in western Massachusetts could soon pay more when they turn on the tap.

The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission is proposing new rates that would increase the typical residential customer’s bill by $6 a month beginning July 1st.

After an almost 10 percent  rate hike last year,  that was sharply criticized by elected officials, the commission got long term low interest loans from the federal and state governments to pay for infrastructure upgrades. The financing is expected to save ratepayers millions.