Increase Water Price Tiers, Higher Burden for Large Users? Water Resources Agency: Trend is Right, But No Adjustment Schedule Yet
Taiwan's Water Resources Agency is considering adjusting water price tiers to increase the burden on high-volume users while minimizing impact on residential users. While acknowledging the direction is correct, the agency states there is no concrete timeline for adjustment due to differing societal opinions.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 17:23
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 17:32 (9 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 19:11 (1h 38m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Hsieh Yi-hsuan, Taipei, 12th) Taiwan Water Corporation (Taiwater) is studying adjustments to water price tiers to reduce the impact on residential users, and its review report has been submitted to the Water Resources Agency for deliberation. Regarding whether water prices will be adjusted, Water Resources Agency Director Lin Yuan-peng said today that increasing the tiers to make large users bear more of the burden and general users less affected, "this trend is correct." However, as opinions from various sectors of society differ, multiple perspectives need to be considered, and there is currently no concrete timetable.
Taiwater currently incurs a loss of NT$3.01 per cubic meter of water. Taiwater Chairman Li Chia-jung stated yesterday at the Legislative Yuan's Economic Committee that Taiwater had conducted a comprehensive review of current water prices in March last year and submitted the report to the Water Resources Agency for deliberation. Taiwater's current planning direction is to make high water consumption users pay higher fees, thus proposing to increase the current 4-tier system to 7 or 8 tiers. In principle, there will be no changes to general residential water usage.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs Water Resources Agency held a "Flood Prevention Preparedness and Response" press conference today. Lin Yuan-peng responded to media inquiries, stating that after receiving Taiwater's water price review report last year, the Water Resources Agency held more than a dozen meetings for deliberation. Discussion directions included whether Taiwater could save costs through institutional means, and they will continue to discuss with Taiwater recently on aspects such as institutional reforms and government backup fund investments.
Regarding the water price issue, Lin Yuan-peng said that based on past experience, if the tiers are expanded, those who use large amounts of water will bear a higher burden, while the burden on residential users will be smaller. "This trend is correct, but there is no specific timetable for adjustment yet."
Lin Yuan-peng explained that there are different opinions on water prices from various sectors. Some legislators believe it should be adjusted, while others believe it will have a societal impact. Some NGOs believe that if water prices are not adjusted, the principle of user-pays cannot be reflected, but industries worry about increased costs, indicating diverse opinions on the water price issue.
He pointed out that water price adjustments involve political and economic situations and commodity prices, and ultimately must be decided by the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Water Price Review Committee.
In addition, Lin Yuan-peng stated that the report also discussed how to improve operational efficiency, including whether some equipment depreciation needs to be accounted for. Taiwater has increased investment in recent years, leading to increased depreciation expenses, which is one of the reasons for its losses. Therefore, they will also review whether to extend the depreciation period or adjust related structural costs. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150512
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(Central News Agency reporter Hsieh Yi-hsuan, Taipei, 12th) Taiwan Water Corporation (Taiwater) is studying adjustments to water price tiers to reduce the impact on residential users, and its review report has been submitted to the Water Resources Agency for deliberation. Regarding whether water prices will be adjusted, Water Resources Agency Director Lin Yuan-peng said today that increasing the tiers to make large users bear more of the burden and general users less affected, "this trend is correct." However, as opinions from various sectors of society differ, multiple perspectives need to be considered, and there is currently no concrete timetable.
Taiwater currently incurs a loss of NT$3.01 per cubic meter of water. Taiwater Chairman Li Chia-jung stated yesterday at the Legislative Yuan's Economic Committee that Taiwater had conducted a comprehensive review of current water prices in March last year and submitted the report to the Water Resources Agency for deliberation. Taiwater's current planning direction is to make high water consumption users pay higher fees, thus proposing to increase the current 4-tier system to 7 or 8 tiers. In principle, there will be no changes to general residential water usage.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs Water Resources Agency held a "Flood Prevention Preparedness and Response" press conference today. Lin Yuan-peng responded to media inquiries, stating that after receiving Taiwater's water price review report last year, the Water Resources Agency held more than a dozen meetings for deliberation. Discussion directions included whether Taiwater could save costs through institutional means, and they will continue to discuss with Taiwater recently on aspects such as institutional reforms and government backup fund investments.
Regarding the water price issue, Lin Yuan-peng said that based on past experience, if the tiers are expanded, those who use large amounts of water will bear a higher burden, while the burden on residential users will be smaller. "This trend is correct, but there is no specific timetable for adjustment yet."
Lin Yuan-peng explained that there are different opinions on water prices from various sectors. Some legislators believe it should be adjusted, while others believe it will have a societal impact. Some NGOs believe that if water prices are not adjusted, the principle of user-pays cannot be reflected, but industries worry about increased costs, indicating diverse opinions on the water price issue.
He pointed out that water price adjustments involve political and economic situations and commodity prices, and ultimately must be decided by the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Water Price Review Committee.
In addition, Lin Yuan-peng stated that the report also discussed how to improve operational efficiency, including whether some equipment depreciation needs to be accounted for. Taiwater has increased investment in recent years, leading to increased depreciation expenses, which is one of the reasons for its losses. Therefore, they will also review whether to extend the depreciation period or adjust related structural costs. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150512
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.