THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the election coming to an end in the state, the Water Authority is reconsidering its plan to increase the water tax. The basic tariff will be increased by five per cent in the domestic and non-domestic industrial sector. The proposal is to increase it by five per cent every year. With this, people will be forced to pay a heavy price for drinking water. This will be a heavy burden for those who are relying only on the water of the Water Authority.

Water tax was last increased in 2014. Although the Water Authority had planned to increase the tax sometime back, the government opposed this move. As the Water Authority remained adamant about increasing the water tax, the government agreed to the demand by saying that the tax can be increased after the elections. The water tax was expected to increase by 5 per cent from April 1. However, it was put on hold because of the elections on April 6.

With the increase in water tax, a household consumer will have to pay Rs 4.20 per 1000 litre instead of Rs 4 per 1000 litre. The water tax is being raised as a means of complying with the central government's additional lending policy.

Current water tax (non-domestic connection)

15 to 30 liters - Rs 225

30 to 50 liters - Rs 540

Above 50- Rs.1100

Tanker lorry water - Rs 60

Public tap in cities (for one year) - Rs.7884

Public tap in villages (for one year) - Rs.5250