The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has decided to increase water prices of tap water in the city from next January.
Under the roadmap, the cost of tap water, during the period of 2010-2013, will rise as prices will be applied for different amounts of usage levels. For instance, households will pay VND 4,400 for the first to fourth per cubic meter per person a month, instead of VND4, 000.
Residents will pay VND8, 300 if they use above the fourth to sixth per cubic meter per person a month, compared to the old level of VND7, 500.
It will rise from VND10, 000 to VND10, 500 when residents use above 6 cubic meters per person a month.
The prices of clean water will raise from VND6,700 to VND7,400 and per cubic meter, from VND7,100 to VND8,100 and from VND12,000 to VND13,500 applying to the manufacturing, service and business industries respectively.
Prices will be adjusted every year until 2013. Under the plan, water prices will be increased by about 50 per cent next year and 10 per cent in the following years.
In related news, the city government also approved to remove some supply networks, affected by building work near Dien Bien Phu Bridge, for the city’s Environment Hygiene project.
The Sai Gon Water Corporation (Sawaco) will carry out the project from December 29 to January 12. Possible water shortages and some ‘muddy water’ might be experienced in districts 1, 3, 5, and 10, as the pipeline is being repaired, according to the water supplier.
Water from Thu Duc Boo Water Plant will be maintained to all Ho Chi Minh City residents, said Sawaco.
Sawaco has ordered member companies to boost supply by way of extra tankers and barges to deliver water to any affected district. It has also asked Thu Duc Boo Water Plant, Tan Hiep Water Plant, Trung An Water Supply Company, and Sai Gon Ground Water Company Limited, to work closely with Sawaco to ensure that there is a continuous supply of clean tap water.
