Reason for paying higher water rates

26/04/2008 The Star

HOUSE buyers who move into their units before the certificate of fitness (CF) is issued are charged higher water tariffs by the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP).

They are charged RM1.20 for every 1,000 litres of water where-as the domestic rate is 22 sen per 1,000 litres for the first 20,000 litres, 42 sen from 20,000 litres to 40,000 litres, 52 sen for 40,000 to 60,000 litres, 90 sen for 60,000 to 200,000 litres, and RM1 per 1,000 litres for usage above 200,000 litres.

PBAPP corporate affairs mana-ger K. Jeyabalan explained that the higher charges was to discourage buyers from moving in before the CF was issued.

He said buyers would be charged domestic water rates when the CF was issued.

Jeyabalan said this when explaining why some purchasers of Taman Widuri in Nibong Tebal were charged higher rates.

The project, with 1,315 terrace houses, was originally scheduled for completion in 1998 but was abandoned by its developer in 2000 following the 1997 economic crisis.

It was taken over by Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) in 2006 and completed earlier this year.

Before the CF was issued on Feb 29 by the Seberang Prai Municipal Council, some buyers moved in and were charged the higher water tariffs.

But several buyers who wanted to pay their deposit for water supply to the PBAPP after the CF was issued were also told that they had to pay the higher tariffs.

They then complained to state Town, Country Planning and Housing Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai who called for a meeting on April 22 to settle the matter.

Present at the meeting was Sungai Bakap assemblyman Maktar bin Haji Shapee, SPNB senior manager Dato Khairudin Samad, PBAPP officials, buyers and representatives from government agencies.

Wong said there was a misunderstanding between the buyers and PBAPP, adding that the matter was settled at the meeting with the buyers to be charged the normal domestic water tariffs.