Water Prices in Chinese Large and Middle Cities Are Being Raised 01

From 2000 to 2008, the water prices in Chinese cities grew steadily. According to statistics, in 2007, the average water price of Chinese 36 major cities was 1.63 RMB (0.232 USD) /m3, rising by 0.55 RMB (0.076 USD)/m3 compared with 2000. The growth range of the sewage treatment charge was much larger, from 0.25 RMB (0.03 USD) /m3 to 0.70 RMB (0.1 USD) /m3.In 2009, the water prices in Chinese cities have begun to speed up rising. Since January 1st of 2009, the price of the running water in Guangzhou began to rise comprehensively.

After Nanjing raised the price of the running water on April 1st, the plans of raising the price of the running water were also under discussion in Wuxi, Yangzhou, Changzhou, etc. On April 27th, Shanghai Development and Reform Commission held the hearing of the water price for residents. On May 6th, Shenyang Price Bureau held the hearing of adjusting the price of the running water and the collection standard of sewage treatment charge. Though the final plan of price adjustment hasn't been confirmed, the raise of the water price is inevitable. On May 10th, Beijing Water Authority revealed that it would carry out the measures of adjusting the comprehensive water price and publishing rewarding methods for water saving to release the water crisis. Meanwhile, some cities in Central China and the West are considering raising the water prices. On May 20th, Kunming Development and Reform Commission published the notice that the single price of water for residents would be increased by 0.8 RMB/m3 since June 1st. In the beginning of June, Zhoukou and Zhumadian of Henan Province took the initiative in the whole province to hold the hearings of raising the water price.

On June 30th, Yinchuan held the hearing of adjusting the sewage treatment charge. On July 11th, Luoyang in Henan Province declared that it would hold the hearing of adjusting and reforming the water price of cities. In general, the raise of water prices in most Chinese cities is basically inevitable.There are mainly two reasons for the raise of the water prices in China. First, at present, the water price in China is in a low level. The water supply enterprises are facing operational pressures. And it is not conductive to carry out the price constrain mechanism and improve the awareness of citizens to save water. According to the statistics by March of 2009, the average water price in Chinese 36 large and middle cities was 3.77 RMB/m3 (0.55 USD, including the sewage treatment charge), rising by 4.7% over the same period of the last year. Second, for a long time, the constitution of Chinese water price has been unreasonable and the price is too low. It can't reflect the degree of scarcity of water resources and the treatment costs of water environment. These factors have resulted in the severe waste of water resources at present and the water pollution can't receive effective treatment.