Sanitary charge hike in Bengaluru not new, was implemented last year: BWSSB

Bengaluru: The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) on Thursday defended the revised sanitary charges for non-domestic users, stating that the changes had already come into effect last year.

Responding to media reports highlighting concerns from industries over “inflating water bills”, the water board said sanitary charges vary based on building size and usage categories.

According to the BWSSB, industrial premises with built-up areas exceeding 5,000 sqm are subject to sanitary charges of Rs 5,000 per month.

The clarification comes amid pushback from industry bodies, which argue that the steep hike has significantly increased operational costs.

The BWSSB, however, maintained that the revision is part of a broader tariff overhaul approved last year.

The board also noted that no revision had been undertaken in over 11 years, despite a substantial rise in electricity costs, infrastructure investments, and overall operational expenses.