No change to water charges this year: Vivian Balakrishnan
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.
Water flowing from tap
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.
