Byelaws relating to water rates, etc

(1) The P.U.C. shall, in consultation with licensees and with the Minister’s approval, make bye-laws relating to– (a) the methodology and process for the determination of tariffs, charges and fees to be charged for the provision of water and sewerage services by licensees; and (b) the quality of service standards, including penalties for violations of such standards and the methodology and process for establishing 87 and enforcing quality of service standards and the calculation and assessment of penalties for their violations. (2) Bye-laws on tariffs, charges, fees and quality of service standards to be made by the P.U.C. under sub-section (1), shall be made in a manner– (a) which is calculated to afford a licensee a opportunity to recover the reasonable costs of providing service and secure a reasonable rate of return on investment when operating in a manner compatible with international standards of an efficiently operated water and sewerage system of similar characteristics to that of Belize; and (b) that reasonably assures customers of their access to basic water and sewerage services at an affordable price in accordance with Government’s policy and objectives. (3) The P.U.C. shall, subject to the approval of the Minister, assess annual licence fees and collect such fees from entities licensed under this Act and pay such fees into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and in making assessments of fees under this sub-section, the P.U.C. shall assess fees adequate to reimburse the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the monies allocated from that Fund to meet the budget of its Office.