RAWALPINDI: The Punjab caretaker government has notified a more than 400 per cent increase in the water utility bills for five major cities of the province, including Rawalpindi. The new rates will come into effect from July 1. Earlier, five marla houses were paying Rs120 for water and now this price has been increased to Rs500.

The Punjab finance department’s resource mobilisation committee in a meeting last month decided to increase the water rates. Officials said this was the first time water charges were increased in 15 years.

The water rates were not increased in the Water and Sanitation Agencies of Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, and Faisalabad since 2008 and the provincial government was giving a subsidy to the tune of Rs200 million to plug the losses.

According to the officials, the rates were increased on demand of Wasa in the aforementioned cities to increase the water tariff to meet the expenses of the civic agencies, especially in light of the increase in electricity charges.

Subsidy on water bills

The officials said that the rate of water and sewerage services for up to three marla houses was fixed at Rs718 per month, but they will pay Rs350 after availing of a subsidy of Rs368 introduced to facilitate households. People who own five marla houses will get a monthly subsidy of Rs438 and against a monthly bill of Rs938, they would Rs500 only. It may be noted in the past Wasa would get a Rs200m lump sum subsidy from the government to plug the losses.

Hike to apply to urban areas of Pindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan and Faisalabad

Due to a shortage of funds and a hike in power tariff, the government was asked for an increase in the water rates because they had not been increased in the urban areas for the past 14 years. The officials said that the electricity tariff increased significantly and the salary of employees had increased as well so it was difficult for civic agencies to run tube wells and pumping stations as well as filtration plants.

According to the notification, the rate increase for the domestic consumer Rs350 per month for three marla houses, Rs500 per month for five marla houses, Rs1500 per month for seven marla houses, Rs2,000 per month for 7.1 to 10 marla houses, Rs2,500 for 10.1 to 15 marla houses, Rs4,000 for 15.1 to 20 marla houses, Rs5,000 for 20.1 to 40 marla houses, and Rs6,000 for 40.1 marla houses and above.

For commercial users, Rs,1000 per month for A-1 category, Rs3,258 for A category, Rs5,345 for B category, Rs7,435 for C category, Rs10,455 for D category, Rs13,478 for E category, Rs19,518 for F category, Rs25,560 for G category, and Rs31,603 per month H category.

A-1 category includes general stores, studios, and pharmacies, while A category includes educational institutions, clinics, lawyers’ offices, property dealers etc.

In B category, hospitals (up to 5 beds), clinics with laboratories, dispensaries, printing press, dying shops, sweet manufacturers and bakeries, milk shops, and dry cleaners. Category C includes restaurants, café, and eateries. In D category, restaurants (having 401to 1000 sq. feet covered area), ice cream manufacturers, cinema houses, and theatres.

In E category, guest houses/hostels/hotels up to six rooms, marriage halls, marquees, and swimming pools, whereas F category includes carpet washing factories, paint factories, filtration plants and hospitals having 6 to10 beds. In G category, hospitals having more than 10 beds and in H category, restaurants/cafes (having an area of 1,001 to 2,000 sq. feet) gas stations, and medium-scale industries.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2023