Water charges will be calculated based on actual meter readings taken before the suspension of routine meter readings and the latest actual meter readings, the Water Supplies Department said today.

The department, which has gradually resumed routine meter readings which were suspended earlier due to the epidemic, said this ensures the consistency of the calculations for water charges of all domestic and freshwater flushing accounts.

It pointed out the epidemic may have changed consumers’ water consumption habits, adding that it has received enquiries about water charges due to estimated meter readings and requests for adjusting water charges.

Apart from handling enquiries and requests proactively, it also studied the feasibility of adjusting the billing system to handle the matter uniformly.

Upon completion of the study, testing and modification of the billing system, the department has decided to combine the billing periods and calculate water charges payable of domestic and freshwater flushing accounts affected by the suspension of routine meter readings based on actual meter readings.

If an excess payment has been made for water bills based on estimated meter readings, the amount will be deducted in the next water bill.

The department will proactively review all affected accounts and adjust water charges as appropriate, it said.

For domestic and freshwater flushing accounts with billing periods ending between July 20 and August 30, when the routine meter readings were suspended, the department has modified the billing system to suspend issuing water bills to the relevant consumers.

When the routine meter readings for these accounts are resumed, the department will calculate the water consumption and charges for the combined billing periods according to the preceding and the latest actual meter readings.

Consumers of relevant accounts should note that water bills issued by then may cover water charges of more than one billing period and the amount payable may be more than the usual water bills covering only one billing period.

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