China pipe-water tariffs started rising up rapidly in 2009. As per the latest official statistics, the tariffs in 36 major cities have been increased by an average ratio of 4.7%. However, it is observed that the increase of the pipe-water tariffs mainly covers water resource and sewage treatment, water supply utilities would NOT be benefited from the tariff ascent. China water supply utilities are urged to enhance the management of water metering, billing, customer services and operation in hopes that the cost of water supply can be precisely metered and the low-profit operation of water utilities can be maintained.