As Bengaluru prepares for the Gauri Ganesha festival, residents may soon experience a surge in water rates. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s recent announcement of a potential water rate hike has prompted the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to initiate large-scale preparations for revising Cauvery water rates.
The BWSSB plans to follow a model similar to that of the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), which revises electricity rates based on public opinion. In the coming days, the BWSSB will gather feedback from both residential and non-residential customers regarding the proposed water rate hike. Meetings with various household and non-household associations are scheduled to ensure that all opinions are considered before a final decision is made. The process includes a 15-day window for customers to submit their suggestions, after which a report will be compiled and presented to the government. The final decision on the water rate hike is expected within five days after the report submission.
BWSSB President Ram Prasad Manohar noted that the water rates have not been revised in the past decade, despite the fact that 70% of the board’s expenses are currently spent on electricity bills. He emphasized that the revision is necessary to cover rising operational costs, particularly the electricity expenses related to water supply.
