Guangzhou plans to adjust the tap water price in the central city and put forward two schemes for hearing.

The average water supply price of the two schemes is 3.4 yuan/m3, and the main difference is that residents and non-residents share different degrees of water price increase.

On April 3rd, official website, the Development and Reform Commission of Guangzhou, issued the "Guangzhou Downtown Tap Water Price Reform Scheme (Hearing Edition)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Scheme"), and put forward two sets of tap water price adjustment schemes for hearing. The average water supply price of the two schemes is 3.4 yuan/m3 (including tax), and the main difference between them is that residents and non-residents share the rising water supply price differently. At present, Guangzhou is openly soliciting opinions on the reform of tap water price in the central city, and a hearing will be held on May 9.

Three-step valuation of household water consumption

The reporter of New Express learned that the applicable scope of this water price adjustment is the tap water price supplied by Guangzhou Water Supply Company in the water supply service area of downtown Guangzhou (including Yuexiu District, Liwan District, Tianhe District, Haizhu District, Huangpu District, Baiyun District, University Town, etc.). Based on the average water supply price and water use structure, the user’s water price is classified and approved, and the following two schemes are put forward for hearing.

Scheme 1: The residents’ domestic water consumption is guaranteed at a low profit, and other water consumption is reasonably profitable. The three ladder water prices of domestic water are 2.60 yuan/m3, 3.90 yuan/m3 and 7.80 yuan/m3 respectively; The combined water price of residents is 2.86 yuan/cubic meter; The price of domestic water for non-residents is 4.56 yuan/m3, and the price of special water is 25 yuan/m3.

Option 2: The first step water price of residential water is priced at cost, and other water is reasonably profitable. The three ladder water prices of domestic water are 2.46 yuan/cubic meter, 3.69 yuan/cubic meter and 7.38 yuan/cubic meter respectively; The combined water price of residents is 2.71 yuan/cubic meter; The price of domestic water for non-residents is adjusted to 4.81 yuan/m3, and the price of special water is adjusted to 25 yuan/m3.

The two schemes have different impacts on different users.

What impact will the two schemes have on the user’s water fee expenditure?

The reporter of the New Express consulted the Interpretation Materials of the Hearing Plan for the Reform of Tap Water Price in the Central City of Guangzhou and learned that for residential water users, the first-step residential users (accounting for more than 80%) and the second-step residential users (accounting for about 10%) of the first plan increased their per capita water charges by about 3.2 yuan/month and 6.4 yuan/month respectively; The per capita water fee of the residents in the first step and the second step of Scheme II will be increased by about 2.5 yuan/month and 5.4 yuan/month respectively. The third step residential users (accounting for less than 10%), the per capita monthly water fee of the two schemes increased by about 20 yuan.

For industrial users, the average water consumption of industrial users in downtown Guangzhou in 2023 is about 839 cubic meters/month. According to the above two schemes, the water fee expenditure of industrial users increased by 923 yuan/month and 1132 yuan/month respectively.

For commercial users, the average water consumption per household in downtown Guangzhou in 2023 is about 204 cubic meters/month. According to the above two schemes, the water fee expenditure of commercial users increased by 225 yuan/month and 276 yuan/month respectively. Among them, it is estimated that the water expenditure of catering industry will increase by 126 yuan/month and 154 yuan/month respectively, and the water expenditure of hairdressing and beauty service industry will increase by 28 yuan/month and 35 yuan/month respectively.

The new scheme widens the price differential and adjusts the water base.

The Plan also proposes measures to improve the ladder price system of domestic water. The first is to widen the price differential and adjust the water base. The water price difference of the first step, the second step and the third step of residential water is adjusted from 1∶1.5∶2 to 1∶1.5∶3. The upper limit of the first step water base for domestic residents with less than 4 people (inclusive) is lowered from 26 cubic meters to 21 cubic meters, and the upper limit of the second step water base is lowered from 34 cubic meters to 27 cubic meters; If there are more than four people using water, the increment of the upper limit of the ladder water base at all levels will be adjusted from 6 cubic meters/month to 5 cubic meters/month for each additional person.

Secondly, increase the combined water price. At present, the residential users who have not implemented the "one meter per household, meter reading to the household" and the non-resident users who have implemented the residential water price will implement the residential first-step water price. In order to reflect the principle of fairness, the consolidated water price for the above users is implemented according to the weighted average price of domestic water, that is, 110% of the first-order water price.

In addition, the implementation of non-residential water (including special water) over-quota progressive price increase system. Non-residents (including special water users) will be charged at a price increase of 1, 2 and 3 times of the classified standard water price for the part with water exceeding the quota within 20% (inclusive), 20% to 40% (inclusive) and more than 40%.

Maintain the original tap water price for people in difficulty.

It is worth noting that the original tap water price standard will remain unchanged for the needy people, survivors of martyrs and special care recipients. Specifically, the water consumption per person below 7 cubic meters per month (including 7 cubic meters) is charged as 0.7 yuan/cubic meter, and the excess is charged as 1.98 yuan/cubic meter.

Non-resident users such as schools, welfare institutions, social work service stations, commercial offices, etc., which are transformed into rental housing projects, infant care services, and domestic enterprises in the community, who implement the price of domestic water for residents, will be subject to consolidated water prices.

■ New Express reporter Xu Wei