The water and sewer agency for nearly 2 million residents in Montgomery and Prince George's counties is proposing an 8.9 percent increase in monthly bills.

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission outlined a $1.2 billion budget proposal Thursday, that if approved, would cost the average residential customer an extra $5.30 a month.

WSSC officials say they need millions of dollars more for repair work to its aging network of pipes.

Both Montgomery and Prince George's County Council members must approve the rate hike. Public hearings on the WSSC budget are scheduled for Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the RMS Building, 1400 McCormick Drive, in Largo and Feb. 3 at the Montgomery County Council Building, 100 Maryland Ave., in Rockville.