Posted: 06 March 2012 2019 hrs
SINGAPORE: There will be no change to water charges
this year. Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian
Balakrishnan confirmed this in response to MP Low Thia
Khiang.
Dr Balakrishnan also told Parliament that the water supply system
costs about S$1.3 billion to operate.
But revenue from the various water charges came up to only S$1
billion last year.
Each year, the government has to provide a grant to water agency
PUB to support its investments.
Mr Low also asked for a breakdown of the cost of water produced by
the PUB, and tariffs charged to households.
"We need to ensure that Singapore will have a secure, reliable
supply of water, even when contracts expire, even when we face
droughts, and even if there are any accidents or other disasters in
parts of our island," said Dr Balakrishnan.
"That should immediately tell you it's not a simple matter of how
much it costs to buy water from Malaysia or to even get water from
a desalination plant. You have to pay for the cost of entire
system. It's all very transparent, it's laid before Parliament," he
added.
- CNA
