Water gets dearer in Bengaluru; BWSSB announces price hike effective 10 April

BWSSB faces an ₹80 crore monthly deficit, spending ₹200 crore while collecting only ₹120 crore. The price hike aims to balance finances and promote water conservation and reuse

South First Desk

Published Apr 10, 2025 | 12:10 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 10, 2025 | 12:10 AM

BWSSB tanker supplying water to a building

Synopsis: The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has announced a water price hike effective from 10 April, marking the first increase in 11 years. Chairman Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar stated that the maximum increase would be one paise per liter for domestic use and ₹1.20 for industrial/bulk supply. New rates will appear in May 2025 bills, with an annual 3 percent increase planned

In a move aimed at addressing rising operational costs, the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has announced a hike in water prices, set to take effect from 10 April.

This is the first increase in water rates in 11 years, according to Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar, BWSSB Chairman.

Dr. Manohar emphasised that the maximum increase would be limited to one paise per liter for domestic use and ₹1.20 per liter for industrial and bulk supply.

The new rates will be reflected in the water bills for May 2025, and the Board plans an annual 3 percent increase in the future.

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Rise in water prices

The domestic water consumption rate will rise as follows:

0.15 paise per liter for consumption within 8,000 liters (approx. ₹8.50 increase monthly)
0.40 paise for consumption between 8,000 to 25,000 liters (₹14 increase)
0.80 paise for consumption between 25,000 to 50,000 liters
1 paise per liter for consumption of 1 lakh liters

For industrial and bulk consumption, the rate increases are as follows:

0.90 paise per liter for 0-10,000 liters
1.00 paise per liter for 10,001 to 25,000 liters
1.30 paise for 25,001 to 50,000 liters
1.50 paise for 50,001 to 75,000 liters
1.90 paise for 75,001 to 1 lakh liters
1.20 paise per liter for consumption above 1 lakh liters

Dr. Manohar explained that the BWSSB is an autonomous body that does not receive financial assistance from the government. The only income the Board generates is from the water fees charged to residents.

Over the past decade, electricity costs have surged by 107 percent, and maintenance costs have risen by 122.5 percent.

Currently, BWSSB faces a monthly deficit of about ₹80 crore, with a monthly expenditure of ₹200 crore but only ₹120 crore collected from consumers.

The chairman also highlighted that the primary goal of this price increase is not just to balance finances but to promote water conservation and encourage the reuse of water.

(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Rashmi Patil)