Drinking water connections to get dearer from Feb 13

The increase in pro rata charges, along with two other decisions related to the rainwater harvesting (RWH) and sewage treatment plants (STP), which the State government approved on January 13, would come into effect only after February 13, said BWSSB Engineer-in-Chief S Krishnappa.

The official told Deccan Herald that the BWSSB would retain the existing pro rata charges (one-time service charges) to provide new drinking water and sanitary connections to buildings till February 12. At present, the BWSSB charges Rs 150 per sq metre on total built-up area for residential buildings, Rs 200 per sq metre on total built-up area for multi-storey residential apartments and Rs 300 per sq metre on total built-up area for commercial buildings.

However, new water and sanitary connections would be dearer for those applying after February 13. The consumers will have to shell out double the amount after the revised charges are introduced.

The charges would be Rs 250 per sq metre for residential buildings, Rs 400 per sq metre for multi-storey residential apartments and Rs 600 per sq metre for commercial buildings. Krishnappa said the pro rata charges are applicable only for domestic buildings with second floor and above and for all commercial establishments. The prices wokuld not be applicable to domestic buildings with only ground and first floor.

Besides, a penalty would also be applicable to all unauthorised connections. Those who obtain unauthorised water supply or sanitary connections or both by any means from the water supply pipelines of the Board would be liable to a penalty of up to 50 per cent of the total pro rata charges, said a BWSSB notification.

Similarly, apartments with more than 20 flats that do not adopt dual piping system and modular sewage treatment plants (STPs), those who have not set up rainwater harvesting in buildings constructed prior to 2009 on sites measuring 60x40 sq ft and above and those constructed on 30x40 sites after 2009 would be penalised from February 13, Krishnappa said.

Meanwhile, BWSSB Chairman T M Vijay Bhaskar has said that the water board would accept objections or suggestions from the citizens in respect to these drafts till February 12.