After a rise in milk, power, and fuel prices, Bengalureans will now face an increase in their water bills. The government has approved a water tariff hike, marking the first increase in 11 years. Along with this, sewerage charges have also gone up by 25%. This will lead to a significant rise in the total bills.
The new rates, decided by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), will see an increase of 32% for water bills. For domestic users, the hike will range from 0.15 paisa to 1 paisa per litre, depending on the consumption slab. For industries, the increase will be between 0.9 paisa to 1.9 paisa per litre. High-rise buildings will also face a tariff increase, which will range from 0.3 paisa to 1 paisa per litre.
The revised rates will appear on the bills from May onwards.
Additionally, sanitary charges for borewells and wells have also gone up by Rs 30 for domestic connections and Rs 125 for non-domestic ones.
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The BWSSB Chairman, Dr. Ramprasat Manohar, explained that the tariff hike was necessary because prices had not been updated in over a decade, which had negatively impacted the finances of the board. He mentioned that the board’s operational costs are around Rs 200 crore every month, but they only collect Rs 120 crore, creating a shortfall of Rs 80 crore.
While the tariff hike will lead to higher bills, the BWSSB has emphasized that it will help improve water services and infrastructure. The board aims to encourage efficient water usage, and those who use less water will see a smaller increase in their bills.
The hike is also expected to promote better water management and ensure long-term sustainability for the city’s water supply system.
