Water rate hike proposed in June

Water rate hike proposed in June

TANGERANG: Tangerang regency water company PDAM Tirta Kerta
Raharja (TKR) will increase its rates by between 10 percent and
30 percent starting June.

Currently, the rate is Rp 2,500 (27 U.S. cents) per cubic
meter. Starting next month, the rate will be between Rp 2,750 and
Rp 3,500 per cubic meter. The increase will be imposed for
commercial subscribers only.

Tangerang Mayor Wahidin Halim urged TKR not to increase the
rate, pending a discussion with his administration.

"The increase must be adjusted in accordance with consumers'
financial situation as 60 percent of TKR subscribers live in the
municipality," he said on Tuesday.

TKR director Utar Sutarya said the company had to cover its
production costs and pay Rp 306 billion it owed to the Ministry
of Finance in installments. -- JP