Sewerage fee rise 'gradual'

AN increase in sewerage charges - said to be 50 per cent - would be introduced gradually, an official said yesterday.

Robin Lee Kui-biu, senior engineer of the Drainage Services Department, said it would take the economic situation into account.

'We are talking about a 50 per cent increase, but I believe we won't do it at once,' he said.

He said the rise from $1.20 to $1.80 per cubic metre was necessary to cover operating costs.

In the past financial year, the Government lost more than $360 million on sewage treatment, spending more than $1 billion but recovering only $700 million.

There will be a similar deficit this year.