British Columbians are being warned to expect an increase in their natural gas bills starting next month.

British Columbians are being warned to expect an increase in their natural gas bills starting next month.

In a statement Friday, Fortis BC said residential customers on the mainland and Vancouver Island will see a price increase of $1.40 per gigajoule, which will work out to an average monthly jump of $11. 

Fortis BC attributes the increase to current global market conditions that have made the cost of gas more expensive. 

The cost of natural gas has risen to a ten-year high, which FortisBC says is in large part due to "surging demand that is outpacing supply." The war in Ukraine is also cited as a factor.

The announcement comes as the price of everything from food to furniture is being driven up, something the company acknowledges may be impacting customers' "ability to pay their bills."

Prices will be reviewed again in September, as the company is regulated by the BC Utilities Commission which reviews rates every three months.