Measure proposed to strengthen prosecution vs overcharging water bills

It proposes to mandate parties who charge water costs to keep receipt copies.

The Waterworks (Amendment) Bill 2023, which seeks to strengthen enforcement powers against overcharging water bills, will be passed to the Legislative Council.

In a statement, the Development Bureau said the amendment bill seeks to mandate parties who charge others for water use issues and keep copies of receipts and allows WA to obtain relevant documents relating to overcharging water cases.

It will also penalise those who provide fake or misleading information or documents and increase the penalty for unfair pricing for water.

The amendments also seek to empower the WA and the Rating & Valuation Department to share information obtained from investigating overcharging cases with each other.

Currently, there is no provision in the Waterworks Ordinance or the Waterworks Regulations to allow the Water Authority (WA) to compel the provision of information in relation to suspected water overcharging cases.

A provision requiring parties who charge water bills to keep and give copies of receipts is also lacking in the current legislation.

This makes it difficult for the WA to obtain evidence to prosecute those suspected of overcharging of water.

“It also called for increased penalties to enhance deterrence,” read the statement.

The bill will be gazetted on October 13 and introduced into the council for first a reading on November 1.