CO129-572-14 Proposed reorganisation of water services 7-4-1938 - 3-4-1939 — Page 62

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All

69

-

10

Appendix II.

$

706,739

258,520

2% Rate

ESTIMATE OF REVENUE FROM WATER FOR 1937 ON PROPOSED

BASIS OF CHARGE.

Meter rents, Fire Service Rentals and Incidental Fees

Charges for consumption :—

Flat rates 4.929 million gallons @ 30 cents

Peak supplies 60 million gallons @ 50 cents

High level supplies 157 million gallons @ 40 cents

Shipping and construction supplies 184 million gallons @ $1.00......

Less Military contribution

Net revenue

Appendix III.

1,478,700

11

-

Appendix IV.

WASTE DETECTION.

Estimated capital outlay necessary to equip Hong Kong and Kowloon for

systematic waste detection work:

Alterations to distribution systems

Provision of meters

Alterations to private house services

S

120,000

120,000

60,000

30,000

S

300,000

62,800

184,000

Annual operating expenses are estimated as follows:-

$

2.720,759

544,152

1 European Inspector, including housing, travelling, transport and

pension @ say £500 per annum

$

8,000

10 Asiatic Inspectors, including housing, travelling, transport and

pension@say $1,000 each

2,156,607

Fitters and coolies

Maintenance of meters and equipment

Road openings and reinstatement

10,000

7,000

5,000

10,000

$

40,000

Cost of MONTHLY ACCOUNTS.

If all accounts are placed on a monthly basis and all water paid for (i.e., the "free allowance" is abolished) the number of accounts issued monthly will increase from 6,000 to 25,000, on the basis of the existing number of meters. Obviously there will be a further increase in so far as separate metering of floors is adopted. Ignoring the latter, i.e... assuming the present number of meters, it is estimated that staff increases would be required in the Water Department and Treasury costing $14,000 per annum and $5,000 per annum respectively; and that non-recurrent expenditure would be required on addi- tional cash registers in the Treasury to the extent of approximately $15,000. Practically the whole of these increased charges would be attributable to the adoption of monthly accounts, as the new basis of charge, while involving the issue of accounts to more con- sumers will simplify the making out of accounts owing to the abolition of the "free allowance",

Additional office accommodation would also be necessary eventually and it would probably be desirable to establish a branch office in Kowloon (which might also be useful for other revenue collection work). It is, however, impossible to estimate the cost of this with any accuracy. The extent of the additional accommodation required must depend on how far separate metering of floors is adopted.

It may be put briefly that the cost of the universal monthly accounts is not likely to be less than $20,000 per annum and may well be much more.

Estimated ultimate saving in consumption-say 7%.

On present maximum consumption say 2 M.G.P.D.

$

202.500

Estimated capital outlay represented by 2 M.G.P.D. $3,500,000.

Loan Charges on $3.500.000.

Interest and Sinking Fund-71%

Deduct.

7% on $300,000

$ 22,500

Annual charges salaries and maintenance

40,000

62,500

NOTE.

Estimated ultimate saving p.a.

$

200,000

An effective waste detection system will take a few years to perfect and during that period the average annual saving would be very considerably less than $200,000.

70

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.