Price full cost of water

THE THREE-TIRED WATER PRICING REFORM that Beijing is set to introduce is a badly-needed first step to deal with the looming water shortage the city faces.

To quench its growing thirst, however, the city must quickly raise water prices to cover at least the cost of water supply.

The two plans that the Beijing Water Authority released on Wednesday to solicit public opinion on progressively raising water prices all suggest a rise of about 1 yuan (16 US cents) for the first-tier water price that applies to 85 to 90 percent of households in the city.