Water Authority recommends steep increase in water service charges

ALAPPUZHA: The Kerala Water Authority has proposed a steep increase in fees—ranging from threefold to fiftyfold—for various water supply and sewerage services, some of which haven’t been revised in 30 years. If the government approves this proposal, rates for both domestic and non-domestic water connections, along with sewerage fees, will see a sharp rise.

As part of the digitisation process, the Rs. 15 application fee for services has been removed.

Domestic connection fees will increase from Rs 500 to Rs 1000. Non-domestic connection fees will rise from Rs 1000 to Rs 3000.

Currently, service fees for connection and disconnection are charged based on a 1995 order. The Board meeting submitted the hike proposal, citing the need for a timely revision. However, with local body and assembly elections approaching, an immediate hike is unlikely. Still, the Water Authority reportedly owes contractors several crores.

Key fee hike proposals (Service- current rate- proposed rate)

Application Fee (Domestic & Non-Domestic): Rs 5 → Rs 250

Meter Replacement: Rs 5 → Rs 250

Meter Point Shift: Rs 100 + Rs 15 → Rs 500

Replacement for Stolen Meter: Rs 60 + Rs 15 → Rs 250

Meter Testing: Rs 10 → Rs 100

Disconnection & Reconnection: Rs 100 + Rs 15 → Rs 1000

Plumbing License & Renewal: Rs 1500 → Rs 2000

Restoring Disconnected Connection: Rs 0 → Rs 250

Meter Inspection Charge: Rs 2 → Rs 10 (Note: Meter reading currently costs an average of Rs 15+)

Sewerage connection services:

Sewerage End & Casual Connection: Rs 2500 → Rs 4000

Deposit (Domestic): Rs 500 → Rs 1000

Deposit (Non-Domestic): Rs 1000 → Rs 2000

Connection Deposit (Casual): Rs 2500 → Rs 4000

Connection Deposit (Industrial): Rs 3000 → Rs 4000

Connection Replacement: 100 → 1000

Disconnection: 200 → 1000

Reconnection: 100 → 1000

Ownership Transfer (Domestic): 50 → 250

Ownership Transfer (Flats): 150 → 400

Ownership Transfer (Others): 100 → 500

The office of the Minister for Water Resources confirmed that a detailed review will be conducted under the Chief Minister's leadership before any decision is made.