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Beijing's municipal price watchdog announced Tuesday that the city's new multi-tier water pricing system will take effect on May 1, the local Mirror Evening News reports. According to the price plan released by the city's development and reform commission, a local household consuming not more than 180 tons of water a year will be charged five yuan (0.8 us dollar) for each ton, rising from the current 4 yuan.
A family with an annual water consumption volume between 181 and 260 tons will pay 7 yuan for every ton of water they use, while those using more than 260 tons of water a year will face the highest 9-yuan unit price.
The current water pricing system was adopted in 2009 with a flat rate at 4 yuan per ton. The new system is expected to encourage greater efforts to save water facing the worsening water shortage in the city.
