BWSSB Revises Domestic Water Tariffs
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has hiked the water tariffs again in the city, for both domestic and non-domestic consumers. The minimum monthly water bill you will now be receiving at your home will be Rs 56 instead of Rs 48. The water tariffs for domestic usage have increased by about 16-75 per cent for every thousand litre of usage. Besides water usage, the revised tariff includes cover the service charge as well as sanitary charges as well. Apart from revising the tariffs the board has also made changes in the water consumption slabs. It has clubbed the domestic water consumption beyond 50 kL (kilo litres) under one slab.
The water board has justified the increase in tariff by citing increasing prices of power and rising expenses for the board. The following table gives a summary of the old and new tariffs.
Comparison between old and new water tariffs in Bangalore
| Slab-wise water consumption (in litres) | Present tariff (Rs) per 1,000 litres (year 2005) | Revised tariff (Rs) per 1,000 litres (year 2014) |
| 0-8,000 (Minimum) | 6.00 (48.00 for minimum) | 7.00 (56.00 for minimum) |
| 8,001-25,000 | 9.00 | 11.00 |
| 25,001-50,000 | 15.00 | 26.00 |
| 50,001-75,000 | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| 75,001-1,00,000 | 36.00 | 45.00 |
| 1,00,000 and above | 36.00 | 45.00 |
Source: BWSSB
The water consumption will be measured by the board through water meters installed individual houses as well as apartments.
What are water meters?
A water meter is a device that measures water consumption by a household or an organisation. In case of an independent house, a water meter is installed in the house and an individual family pays the monthly bill. In case of an apartment society, a water meter is installed in the apartment complex. Alternately, some societies tend to install individual water meters for individual flats. The monthly water bill is usually paid as part of the maintenance charges by all the members of the apartment society.
Installation of water meters in an apartment complex or residential house is mandatory. Through this, the BWSSB identifies the water consumption and bills you accordingly. An important benefit of installing a water meter is that it keeps a tab on your water consumption. A water meter helps in identifying how much water is being consumed and if the consumption has to be reduced. Apart from this, it also helps you see if there is any water leakage and unnecessary wastage. Especially in apartment complexes.
Steps by BWSSB
Apart from installing a water meter, the BWSSB is now resorting to other technological solutions to identify water consumption and wastage of water. One of the steps it is planning is to install intelligent water meter reading systems in households as a pilot project. This will provide real-time information of the water consumption while preventing tampering of water meters.
The water board is also undertaking a pipe replacement project in South, Central and East Bengaluru in order to reduce loss of water.
Paying your monthly bill
There are two main options for you to pay your water bills. One may logon to the BWSSB portal and make a bill payment. One may use a credit or debit card to make an online payment. Alternately, one may visit the nearest BWSSB kiosk to make a payment. One can also bill payments in BangaloreOne outlets through cash, cheque, demand draft or credit card. BangaloreOne has an online portal where water bill may be paid.
