Big hike in water prices imminent

PHUKET TOWN: The Phuket Town Municipality announced yesterday that the price of piped water supplied from the council’s waterworks will increase massively from next Thursday (June 1). The price will rise by as much as 33% for households and by as much as 44% for businesses. Deputy mayor Jongrak Narukatpichai explained that the hike was necessary because of the spiraling costs of electricity, purification chemicals and equipment such as water pipes. In addition, the Municipality has had to buy water; demand in the area is about 29,191 cubic meters a day, while the maximum amount the municipal waterworks can supply is 24,240 cubic meters. As a result, the Municipality has to buy about 5,000 cubic meters of water a day from the Phuket Provincial Waterworks Authority, at an average price of 10.70 baht per cubic meter For households, the new prices will be as follows: – 0-10 cubic meters: 4 baht per cubic meter (old price 3 baht). – 11-20 cubic meters: from 4.50 baht (3.50 baht). – 21-30 cubic meters: from 6.25 (5.25). For businesses, the prices will be: – 31-50 cubic meters: 8 baht (6.75 baht ). – 51-80 cubic meters: 8.325 baht (7.25 baht). – 81-100 cubic meters: 9 baht (7.50 baht ). – 101-300 cubic meters: 10 baht (8 baht). – 301-1,000 cubic meters: 10.50 baht (8.25 baht). – 1,001-2,000 cubic meters: 11 baht (8.50 baht ). – 2,001-3,000 cubic meters: 12 baht (8.75 baht ). – 3,001+ cubic meters: 13 baht (9 baht).