Water tariffs increased; extraordinary gazette issued

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Water tariffs have been increased with effect from Thursday (03).

The Extraordinary Gazette notification was issued by Minister of Water Supply and State Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman.

Domestic consumers using 5 units or less will pay a monthly service charge of Rs. 300.

For those using 31-40 units, the monthly service charge will be Rs. 1500.

For 41-50 units, the charge is at Rs. 3000 per month.

For 76-100 units, it stands at Rs. 4000, while above 100 units would cost Rs. 4500 per month.

The tariff for government and assisted schools, religious and approved charitable institutions and non-profit organizations stands at Rs. 400 for 5 units or less.

For 41-75 units, the monthly service charge stands at Rs. 2400.

Over 75 units would cost Rs. 3500 per month.

Government institutions and industries other than BOI zone industries will be charged Rs. 500 monthly for 25 units or less.

For 101-200 units, Rs. 2000 will be charged.

If over 20,000 units are consumed, the monthly service charge stands at Rs. 130,000.

Consumers paying their water bills within 14 days from the date of issue of the bill will be given a rebate of 1.5% on the value of the bill, according to the extraordinary gazette.

If consumers fails to settle the water bill within a period of 30 days from the date of receiving a bill, an additional charge of 2.5% on
the value of the bill per month will be made for the balance outstanding from the date the bill was issued.

The General Manager of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board will be vested with the power to disconnect the service connection of consumers, whose bills are in arrears for a period of more than 30 days.

The fee for re-connecting the supply, after the service has been disconnected, will be determined by the General Manager of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, based on the costs incurred for such re-connection.

Customers who do not use water at all during a particular month are charged a minimum monthly service charge and VAT Amount.

A customer who is not registered for e-billing will pay an amount determined periodically by the General Manager of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board for the "Environmental Conservation Fund".

If any officer/employee who authorized by the General Manager of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board visits the customer's house and collects the water bill fee, the customer must pay a “convenience fee” determined periodically by the General Manager of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board.

The Extraordinary Gazette notification can be accessed here.