The collection of fees for water resources is done in line with the country's policy on paying for water usage, involving units and individuals draining water directly from rivers, lakes and the underground strata, according to Shanghai Water Supplies Bureau.

The charges vary from 0.021 to 0.03 yuan per cubic meter for surface water and 0.05 yuan (US$0.006) per cubic meter for underground water. The revenue will go to water development, utilization, protection and management.

Some kinds of water usage are exempt from the charges, such as life water and non-industrial water below 10 cubic meters of daily consumption. Such charges are also deferred for agricultural water and recycled water used in thermal power generation.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2003)