Macao Water said in a statement yesterday that it will provide 10 million patacas in subsidies from next month for old low-rises to repair their tap water facilities.
The water supply utility promised in the statement that it will continue to protect the safety of Macau’s tap water services, adding that it is aware of the fact that some old low-rise buildings’ condominium owners don’t know how to repair their water facilities. The statement noted that some buildings’ water facilities are poorly maintained and often have leakage and seepage problems, stressing that the maintenance problem directly affects the quality of people’s tap water and that is also results in wasting water.
The statement said that Macao Water has therefore decided to provide subsidies to old low-rises. The statement pointed out that the company expects to subsidise water facility repairs in 400 to 500 buildings in three years, expecting around 5,000 users to benefit from the subsidy. The statement pointed out that the company will launch the subsidy scheme starting next Thursday.
According to the statement, buildings that are at least 20 years old, have not more than seven floors and often are being affected by water leakage and seepage or other water facility problems qualify for the subsidy.
The statement said that initially Macao Water will send notices to the buildings’ tap water users, urging them to participate in the programme.
The statement underlined that Macao Water will pay 80 percent of the repair and construction costs, while the users are supposed to split the remaining 20 percent between them.
The statement also said that each user would need to pay around 100 to 200 patacas for the repair. The statement said that each building could benefit from a subsidy of up to 50,000 patacas.
The statement also said that if fewer than two-thirds of a building’s tap water users sign the repairs agreement, Macao Water would still check the water facilities, and that the company might insist on the repairs due to public hygiene reasons.
The statement said that besides ensuring the quality of the water, the company also wants to increase awareness of the importance of the repairs and maintenance of water supply facilities.
For more information, residents can call 2822 0088.
This undated handout photo provided by Macao Water yesterday shows a building affected by tap water leakage.
