Water more expensive from November, bigger spenders will pay more

The Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) has announced an increase in water tariffs, coming into effect from November.
According to a DSAMA statement, this tariff adjustment is based on the “consumer-pays principle,” which involves adopting a moderate increase in price and establishing a larger gap between the different consumption levels, with the aim of promoting more efficient use of water resources.
After the adjustment, water tariffs for residential consumers will cost MOP4.48, 5.18, 6.04 and 7.27 per cubic meter, respectively, according to the four consumption levels.
The DSAMA remarked that such an increase will have little impact on the large majority of consumers. It is expected that 90 percent of residential consumers will see an increase of less than MOP4.5.
The statement mentions that the government has decided to continue with the subsidy program for the water bills of residential customers at the different levels.
Sixty percent of consumers will experience an increase of less than MOP7 per cubic meter and only 10 percent of users will see a bill increase of over MOP45.
For this kind of consumer a subsidy plan is also in effect, amounting to MOP1.7 per cubic meter, that is, 22 percent of the total.
The DSAMA estimates that 50 percent of costumers will see a raise of less than MOP270 per month that will not be subsidized.
The government stated that the new system aims to highlight the importance of this key asset, in the hopes that consumers will further implement water conservation measures.  RM