44
2 Water Resources Management Framework
2.2.13 Overcharge for Plan/Quota-Exceeding Use
The overcharge for plan/quota-exceeding use is a system to promote water saving
and punish the wasting of water. The system consists of two aspects. First, increasing
the block tariff for quota-exceeding water use in water service charges. Second, the
overcharge for plan/quota-exceeding water abstraction in the water resources fee.
The system of increasing the block tariff for quota-exceeding water use in water
service charges means that the charges on water use within the plan will be implemented at a lower rate, while those exceeding the plan will be higher to promote water
saving by users. For example, the block tariff for household water use in Beijing,
which was first implemented in 2014, is 2.07 RMB/m
3 for annual usage below 180 m
3
for each household, 4.07 RMB/m
3 for annual usage between 180–260 m
3 and 6.07
RMB/m
3 for annual usage above 260 m
3 .
The water resources fee is charged progressively over the plan/quota-exceeding
abstraction. Article 28 of the Regulation on the Management of Water Abstraction
Permits and Water Resources Fee Collection stipulates that the water abstraction unit
or individual should take water according to the approved annual water abstraction
plan; if this usage level exceeds the plan or quota, the plan/quota-exceeding abstraction should be charged progressively. For example, the 2012 Beijing Water Saving
Management Methods specifies that in the public water supply system, one additional
water fee should be charged for plan-exceeding usage under 20%, two additional fees
for such usage between 20–40% and three additional fees for plan-exceeding usage
above 40%; for the self-supplier, a fee five times the standard water resources fee
should be charged for plan-exceeding usage under 20%, a fee ten times great for
such usage between 20–40% and a fee fifteen times greater for plan-exceeding usage
above 40%.
Therefore, the overcharge for plan/quota-exceeding use is an internal incentive
that uses economic means to encourage the user’s self-adaption to achieving water
resources management goals.
2.2.14 Water-Saving System
The water-saving system was introduced quite early in China. Article 8 of the
2002 Water Law stipulates that the state should strictly implement water saving
and positively promote water-saving measures; encourage the application of new
water-saving technologies and processes; develop water-saving industry, agriculture
and services; and establish a water-saving society. Furthermore, governments should
take measures to strengthen the management of water saving, establish a watersaving technology development and promotion system and cultivate and develop
water-saving industry. This article also places users under an obligation to save
water.
2 Water Resources Management Framework
2.2.13 Overcharge for Plan/Quota-Exceeding Use
The overcharge for plan/quota-exceeding use is a system to promote water saving
and punish the wasting of water. The system consists of two aspects. First, increasing
the block tariff for quota-exceeding water use in water service charges. Second, the
overcharge for plan/quota-exceeding water abstraction in the water resources fee.
The system of increasing the block tariff for quota-exceeding water use in water
service charges means that the charges on water use within the plan will be implemented at a lower rate, while those exceeding the plan will be higher to promote water
saving by users. For example, the block tariff for household water use in Beijing,
which was first implemented in 2014, is 2.07 RMB/m
3 for annual usage below 180 m
3
for each household, 4.07 RMB/m
3 for annual usage between 180–260 m
3 and 6.07
RMB/m
3 for annual usage above 260 m
3 .
The water resources fee is charged progressively over the plan/quota-exceeding
abstraction. Article 28 of the Regulation on the Management of Water Abstraction
Permits and Water Resources Fee Collection stipulates that the water abstraction unit
or individual should take water according to the approved annual water abstraction
plan; if this usage level exceeds the plan or quota, the plan/quota-exceeding abstraction should be charged progressively. For example, the 2012 Beijing Water Saving
Management Methods specifies that in the public water supply system, one additional
water fee should be charged for plan-exceeding usage under 20%, two additional fees
for such usage between 20–40% and three additional fees for plan-exceeding usage
above 40%; for the self-supplier, a fee five times the standard water resources fee
should be charged for plan-exceeding usage under 20%, a fee ten times great for
such usage between 20–40% and a fee fifteen times greater for plan-exceeding usage
above 40%.
Therefore, the overcharge for plan/quota-exceeding use is an internal incentive
that uses economic means to encourage the user’s self-adaption to achieving water
resources management goals.
2.2.14 Water-Saving System
The water-saving system was introduced quite early in China. Article 8 of the
2002 Water Law stipulates that the state should strictly implement water saving
and positively promote water-saving measures; encourage the application of new
water-saving technologies and processes; develop water-saving industry, agriculture
and services; and establish a water-saving society. Furthermore, governments should
take measures to strengthen the management of water saving, establish a watersaving technology development and promotion system and cultivate and develop
water-saving industry. This article also places users under an obligation to save
water.