"Through this water meter upgrade, we’ve witnessed the dedication of market regulators in addressing public concerns," said Deng Xiaoxian, head of the homeowners' association at Xuefu Qingteng Community in Huaxi District, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, on November 13. Since April this year, the Huaxi District Market Supervision Bureau has launched a targeted campaign to rectify issues in water, electricity, and gas supply, focusing on accurate metering and transparent billing. This initiative aims to resolve long-standing problems such as delayed "one household, one meter" upgrades and irregular secondary water pressure fees, ensuring smoother utility services for residents.
Xuefu Qingteng Community, a residential area for Guizhou Normal University staff, faced prolonged challenges due to delayed management transitions after its 2019 completion. The property management relied on bulk metering and shared billing, leading to inflated costs and disputes over unclear fee allocations. Residents were also unable to benefit from tiered water pricing policies.
Starting in 2023, Deng and fellow homeowners actively sought solutions through petitions, meetings, and negotiations with local authorities and water companies. The Huaxi District Market Supervision Bureau adopted a three-tiered regulatory approach—municipal guidance, district-level coordination, and on-site enforcement—to address these issues. Officials conducted inspections, held meetings with stakeholders like Beikong Water and Gui'an Water, and ensured compliance with timelines for meter upgrades.
By October 15, over 1,140 households in Xuefu Qingteng completed meter replacements, resulting in fairer pricing and transparent billing. Water rates dropped from 3.45 yuan to 2.95 yuan per ton. Meanwhile, in Qingshui Cheng Community, improper secondary pressure fees were refunded (totaling 74,965 yuan), and water rates were adjusted from 2.7 yuan to 2.25 yuan per ton.
"Transparent billing has improved relations between property managers and residents," noted Huang Jiajia, project manager at Xuefu Qingteng’s Vanke Property. The campaign’s success highlights the role of precise metering and pricing oversight in restoring trust and fairness. Li Jie, director of the Huaxi bureau, emphasized plans to enhance utility regulation further, aligning with national policies to safeguard public welfare.