Chennai Metrowater will introduce new sewage and water charges from April 1.
What’s it about? The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) will revise its water and sewage charges for domestic and commercial customers from April 1. Residents will pay 5% more, while commercial consumers will pay 10% more. The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board could also hike tariffs.
- The CMWSSB proposed new charges to bridge the gap between revenue and increasing expenditure. A water tariff revision was last done in May 2018. The proposed 5% increase wasn’t implemented.
- Residents want the digital metering system to cover the entire city and be charged according to their use. There are more than 8.3 lakh customers.
Revised charges and effects: Consumers paying ₹80 monthly will now have to pay ₹84. For commercial entities, it’s now ₹263 per month. For a paid mobile water tanker, the charges will increase by 5% for residents and 10% for commercial establishments. The revision is expected to bring in additional revenue of ₹30-35 crores yearly.