Tangerang to raise tap water prices

TANGERANG: Tangerang regency's tap water company, Tirta Kerta Raharja, will increase water rates by up to 100 percent starting in January.

"This is the first increase since 1999. The prices of the materials used to produce tap water have long been increasing," said company spokesman Anda Suhanda on Friday.

The company launched a campaign to introduce the new rates to its 89,000 customers in July. It said about 70 percent of customers agreed with the hike.

"The public won't mind the increase as long as we can improve our services," Anda said.

The proposal to increase the water rates has been approved by the regency legislative council.

The company said the need to replace pipes that were laid in 1983 was another factor that contributed to the price hike.

Currently, the company charges between Rp 900 (10 US cents) and Rp 1,500 per cubic meter of water for social and public facilities, between Rp 1,500 and Rp 4,500 per cubic meter for households, and between Rp 3,800 and Rp 6,750 per cubic meter for businesses. -- JP