Guangzhou will hold a water price hearing later this month, in a bid to contain excessive water consumption by rising water prices.

The Guangzhou Daily said Guangzhou residents would pay different rates for water usage based on a monthly progressive rate. 

The government planned to set a quota with residents paying a higher price for extra water use. The Daily said prices were likely to be 1.24 yuan (US$0.15), 1.81 yuan and 2.48 yuan each ton, depending on how much residents consumed. The present price is 0.9 yuan for all resident users.

Industries that are large water users, such as car washing services, will face higher water prices, rising from the present 2.2 yuan to 5 yuan.

Water use in public departments, including firefighting and public sanitation, will also be charged on different rates.

According to statistics in 2002 and 2003, water prices in Guangzhou were lower than their cost.

Shenzhen is the only city in Guangdong to introduce the progressive charging method — making high-volume users pay more for water.

Water is now charged in Shenzhen each month on a progressive rate: 1.9 yuan each ton from one ton to 22 tons, 2.85 yuan from 23 to 30 tons, and 3.8 yuan from 31 tons and above.

The hearing is now wanting 15 representatives from society, including seven residents, two from government departments, two from water consumption businesses, two from industries, and two from special trades using water.

For more information please visit www.gzwjj.gov.cn. Applicants could also call 020-8619-6809, or 020-8619-6810 before next Monday.

(Shenzhen Daily September 8, 2005)