Tangerang to raise tap water prices

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