SG Budget 2017: Water prices to increase by 30% over two phases starting July 1, 2017

THE government will increase water prices by 30 per cent in two phrases, starting from July 1, 2017, said Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Monday.

Water prices were last revised in 2000, almost 20 years ago, and have to be updated to reflect the latest costs of water supply, which is linked to higher costs of desalination and NEWater production.

From Monday, the government will impose a water conservation tax on potable water, to promote conservation.

For three-quarters of the businesses, the increase in water prices will be less than S$25 per month, once the increase is fully phased in on July 1, 2018.

For 75 per cent of the households, the increase in monthly water bills will be less than S$18.