"The price of tap water should not be decided by the current system, under which the National Development and Reform Commission sets the water price based on the production cost. Setting a price of tap water should consider the goal of saving water. The current water price is not fair, and it should be raised at least tenfold to 30 to 40 yuan ($4.85 to 6.46) per ton."

Wang Wenke, chairman of the China Water Investment Co, said during a water-themed forum on Friday. The China Water Investment Co is a State-owned enterprise co-founded by the Bureau of Comprehensive Development of the Ministry of Water Resources and other strategic investors.

(China Daily 04/16/2013 page2)