City denies report on tap water prices

City denies report on tap water prices

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has denied a report that
it plans to increase tap water prices in November.

An assistant to the city secretary, Prawoto Danoemihardjo,
said yesterday there is no such plan and there is no report from
city-owned water company PAM Jaya on the matter.

"To the best of my knowledge there is no such plan and the
negotiation with private investors has not yet touched on tap
water fees," Prawoto said.

He added that he will ask PAM Jaya about it and urged the
public to remain calm.

Prawoto said the city administration will make sure it retains
the right to set tap water fees.

"This will enable us to set an affordable water price," he
said.

PAM Jaya also projected that after cooperation with private
investors the price of tap water will be only be raised once, in
1997.

It is projected that from 1997 to 2000 the price will not be
raised.

Antara news agency reported that new tap water prices would be
determined in November when the cooperation between PAM Jaya and
two private investors starts. (yns)