A majority of public representatives voted for a proposed water price hike of 24.3 percent at a public hearing in Beijing Wednesday, but they also agreed to phase in rises over the next three years.

Twenty-four representatives of residents, industrial users, lawmakers, political advisors, scholars, social groups, government officials and water companies attended the hearing.

Of the 25 votes, 22 were in favor of the government-proposed price hike, hoping it could help increase water-use efficiency as in the city, which faces frequent water shortages.

Two voted against, and one agreed to a price hike, but in a separate proposal.

A resident who was on the representative list asked for sick leave Wednesday, but she had submitted a written document to express her opinion.

Most of the 22 representatives who supported the rise said authorities should take into consideration the effect on residents and raise the price gradually over three years.

Only a representative from the municipal-government-owned Beijing Waterworks Group, the city's water supplier, favored a second plan proposed by the government for a one-off price hike.

The municipal government proposed the rise to discourage residents from wasting water and to ease shortages.

The price of water for residential use would rise from 3.7 yuan (54 US cents) to 4.6 yuan (67 US cents) per cubic meter, according to the proposed plan by the government.

The government would offer subsidies to low-income families to ensure their living standards were not affected, the plan said.

"I agree with the price hike, but the water companies should meanwhile further improve the water quality and service for consumers," said Ge Youshan, a representative from the Beijing Bar Association.

"Authorities should improve the supervision mechanism while raising the water price, keep strict control of the operating costs of the water companies, and guard against extravagance and waste," said representative Guan Ping from Peking University, who is also a political advisor.