Hong Kong’s first water rate rise in 3 decades to be ‘definitely’ passed on to consumers, industry leaders say
- Eric Chau of the Laundry Association says water bills currently cost service operators in hospitality and catering industry up to HK$200,000 a month
- ‘If the costs increase, we will be hit immediately. So we will definitely need to transfer the costs to consumers,’ he adds
An increase in Hong Kong water charges will “definitely” be passed on to consumers given the poor economic outlook, industry representatives have warned after the government announced plans to raise the tariffs for the first time in three decades.
Eric Chau Hon-keung of the Laundry Association of Hong Kong said on Monday that the increase in tariffs would hugely affect his industry, in which water bills made up a large proportion of costs.
Chau told a radio show that water could cost laundry service operators in the hospitality and catering industry up to HK$200,000 (US$25,570) a month, saying there was no way to reduce their reliance on the utility.
“It is understandable that the price will increase after so many years, but we told authorities this is not a good time as many industries are facing difficulties,” he said.
“If they really have to increase the prices, we hope they will go easy, for example, an increase of below 10 per cent.”
The Water Supplies Department said on Sunday that the rise was due to the increasing budget deficit and pledged to consider residents’ affordability and the economy before making any moves.
