The Macao Water Co. Ltd. has pledged to grant a six-million-patacas (US$750,000) relief to the customers in the current salinity crisis, local media reported Monday.

Macao Post Daily quoted sources from the water-supply enterprise as saying that the amount of the aid will be depending on the meter size of the respective customers.

Macao, counting the water supply on Xijiang River which is originated in Guangdong province, is currently enduring its worst ever salinity crisis.

The salinity problem was caused by the intake of the sea water during the dry winter season.

The salinity level has remained at 600 mg/l in the region for half a month, far above the 200-mg/l standard set up by the World Health Organization.

Macao Water, a Macao-Portuguese joint venture, is holding the monopoly of the city's tap water supply.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2006)