CO129-572-14 Proposed reorganisation of water services 7-4-1938 - 3-4-1939 — Page 51

Objects and Reasons.

1. The object of this Bill is to repeal the Waterworks Ordinance, 1903, and the regulations made thereunder and to replace them by an Ordinance and Regulations in accordance with modern requirements.

2. A Table of Correspondence is attached as a guide to the source of the provisions of the various clauses which are not entirely new.

3. The Bill is drafted on the assumption that there is to be in future no general free allowance of water based on rateable valuation but that free allowances may be permitted in the case of hospitals and other approved institutions (see Appendix III).

4. Provision has been made for the following new features:-

(a) power to demand deposits to cover payments for chargeable water (clause 9 and reg. 3):

(b) the licensing of approved plumbers (reg. 10);

(c) the stamping of approved fittings (reg. 11);

(d) charging fees for the privilege of using main water for flushing (reg. 18);

(e) separate floor metering (reg. 7 (c));

(f) the representation of the water authority by authorized officers (clauses 2 (b) and 27 and reg. 1).

5. The demanding of deposits to cover water charges, etc., is in conformity with modern waterworks practice and has been found necessary in Hong Kong.

6. The licensing of plumbers and stamping of approved fittings are also in accordance with modern waterworks practice.

7. The charging of a fixed fee for the flushing privilege, when exercised, is considered a fairer method than increasing the cost of water used in the premises concerned. A fee cquivalent to the meter rental is proposed so that for an average residence the flushing fee would be $10 per annum in addition to payment at the ordinary rate for all water consumed.

8. In order to enable separate floor meters to be installed in tenement houses the water authority is given special powers (reg. 7 (c)).

September, 1938.

J. A. FRASER,

Attorney General.

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