Abstract: This paper analyzes several abuses of the current single-measure water price in Chinese sities. It is proposed that an "equal-subsidy ladder" water price model should be applied to the domestic water price decision-making according to the present situation of China. The distributive justice of water-utilization welfare and the feasibility of economic accounting are also discussed in order to provide theoretic basis for the determination of domestic water price in Chinese cities.

Key words: single-measure water price, ladder water price, water-utilization welfare, domestic water price, single-measure water price, ladder water price, water-utilization welfare