Society

Majority supports gradual rise of city water price

By Zhao Chunzhe (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-12-16 16:06

Most representatives at a hearing held today by the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission to decide between two proposed water price adjustment plans, a one-step price rise or a gradual price increase over three years, voted for the latter option, the chinanews.cn reported.

The price of water for residential use will rise from 3.7 yuan (54 cents) to 4.6 yuan (67 cents) per cubic meter, according to the city's economic planner announcement on December 2.

The water resource fee may increase by 0.48 yuan while the sewage treatment fee may rise by 0.42 yuan, the report said. The hearing was to decide how best to implement those increases.

One representative, Li Jianjun, said, "the gradual price increase way may not be perfect, but it's good for the conservation and sustainable development of water source in Beijing."

"If I have to choose between the two proposals, I probably would abstain from voting," said another representative, Li Shijie. "I agree with the 'ladder price', charging differently according to different water levels people used in order to encourage them to save water. Although it will be hard to put it in practice, there will be a way to figure it out as long as we start to do it."