The D.C. Water and Sewer Authority is proposing to triple the fee it bills the District government to maintain public fire hydrants, while warning that hydrant repair services could be curtailed if D.C. doesn’t agree to pay.

The WASA Board of Directors earlier this month took initial steps to raise the annual Fire Protection Service Fee, a levy paid by the District, from $217 to $680.48 per fire hydrant. There are 9,000 public hydrants, bringing WASA’s total yearly take to $6.1 million, whereas the agency currently collects $1.95 million.