MADISON, Wis. -- Come next year, a glass of tap water could become more expensive in Madison.

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Amid lingering controversy about the safety of Madison's water supply, city and water utility officials said that they're planning on pursuing major rate hikes during the next two years to correct water main and well problems, WISC-TV reported.

This news comes only more than a month after water officials lifted a three-month-long public health advisory that encouraged some residents not to drink what was coming out of their tap because of high manganese levels.

To rectify the situation, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said that he's proposing to pump up capital spending on parts of the city's water supply infrastructure, like water mains and wells, by $6 million next year. This amount is a 50 percent increase, WISC-TV reported.

The mayor's plan would replace old mains, drill new wells, put in a $2.4-million filter and help repair the new Well 29, which was shutdown because of high manganese levels. His proposal would prompt a 9-percent rate hike for users.

In addition to the mayor's increased spending, Madison Water Utility officials are also pursuing an estimated 8 to 10 percent hike this year.

If approved by the state, the increases laid out by the mayor and utility could lead to about 18- to 19-percent rate hike for consumers. The increases will cost water users about $27 extra dollars on an average $150 bill, WISC-TV reported.

Cieslewicz said that the proposal is part of his plan that was announced months ago to deal with image and water-quality problems, including high manganese found in some city wells.

"When you go to the public and say, 'This is the cost of maintaining our system so that we can ensure that your water is going to be safe and clean,' I think it's a cost the … the public will be willing to spend," he said.

Some Madison Water Board commissioners said that they're applauding the move. They said that it's what's needed to turn things around at the utility.

Board Commissioner Jon Standridge said that even with a potential double-digit increase, Madison water users are getting a big bargain.

"I'm absolutely delighted," he said. "This is the direction we need to go."

Standbridge also said that Madison water bills are well below the state average.

"A 9 percent per year rate increase is really tiny in the big scheme of things for a person's budget," Standbridge said.

Standridge said on his water bill, he would pay an extra $9 dollars a year, or about 75 cents a month.

The controversy about Madison's water supply began in May when city officials issued the advisory about the health effects stemming from high levels of manganese found in the water in some parts of the city. The advisory dealt with those serviced by two wells and recommended that infants on ready-to-mix formula and those with liver problems not drink tap water.

In July, the head of the Madison Water Utility said that the city's water was safe after harmful manganese levels had decreased. Officials said that areas that were serviced by wells 3 and 10 showed manganese levels that were within acceptable limits after they were flushed out from the water system. Well 3 is the eastern end of the isthmus and Well 10 is in the Nakoma area.

Officials said that ingestion of high levels of manganese, a naturally occurring metal, over a period of time can cause neurological problems. Manganese is an element found in many foods and it occurs naturally in most tap water, WISC-TV reported.

The mayor and utility's rate hike plan must be approved by the state's Public Service Commission before going into effect.