VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Construction is considering adjusting the minimum monthly fee on household water usage following complaints from people.


Workers of the Ha Noi Water Supply Company inspect the water treatment system. The Construction Ministry is calling for opinions on adjusting water fees and may increase subsidies to poor households. (Photo: VNS)
Under Decision No 117 dated July 11, 2007, every household has to pay a monthly minimum fee of VND16,000 (US$0.8), equivalent to four cubic metres of water, to their water suppliers.


This is the first legal document on water supply in Viet Nam following the Government allowing water suppliers to operate as businesses.


Generally, the fee itself is not a major sum to concern locals, but those not consuming the regulated volume believe they should not have to pay the basic charge.


"I am living alone since my children have families of their own. I just use one to two cubic metres of water every month. Why should I pay the same as someone using four?" complained 62-year-old Nguyen Thi Thinh, who retired this year.


Tran Thanh An, a Vietcombank officer, is also unsatisfied with the fact that she is paying for a sum much bigger than what she actually uses.


"I went on a business trip for nearly two months but still had to pay for the water despite not using a drop. There must be a way to make us feel it is fair," said An.


Meanwhile, the Ministry of Construction has said it would investigate the pricing structure.


"The Ministry is calling for opinions from branches at all levels, enterprises and citizens to find the best solution," said Nguyen Hong Tien, director of the Department of Infrastructure and Urban Technology, the Ministry of Construction.


The Ministry is reviewing and adjusting the decision in relation to other city planning documents, said Tien.


Recently, the Ministry has provided three solutions. The ministry proposed only poor and priority social beneficiary families would only pay for the amount they use; that the monthly charge of four cubic metre would be abolished and households would have to pay for the additional supply and piping to their houses; that the charge would no longer be based on the monthly cubic metre charge, and instead management and operational costs would be included in the water price.


According to Tien, a conference between ministries and other parties would be held in March to decide the most appropriate solutions.


"Whatever decision we make, we have to ensure that the State, citizens and enterprises all benefit," said Tien.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News