(ECNS) – Beijing has launched two plans for its water rate reform, both of which will make its residents suffer the highest water rates in China, according to the 21st Century Business Herald.

The two plans, released on Wednesday, will charge tiered rates for household water consumption and set the bottom-tiered rate at 4.95 yuan and 5 yuan per ton.

The final version will be released after a public hearing on April 17.

No matter which plan is adopted, water rates in Beijing will exceed Tianjin's 4.9 yuan per ton, and make Beijing the city with the highest water rates among other Chinese cities, according to the 21st Century Business Herald's survey.

Lack of water resources and the cost of South-to-North Water Diversion project are the two main reasons leading Beijing water rates to be the most expensive.

According to Beijing's Development and Reform Commission, water in Beijing now costs 6.59 yuan per ton, much higher than the current rate of 4 yuan.

And water diverted from the south will be supplied to Beijing in October, the cost of which will exceed 7 yuan per ton, scholars estimated.

An official from the municipal development and reform commission said that after the adjustment, Beijing's water rates will not be raised in the short term, even though the cost of water from the south is higher than the rate.