Bengaluru: Starting this May, residents of Bengaluru will face a sharp increase in their monthly expenses, as the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has revised its water tariff for the first time in over a decade — by at least 32%.
In tandem with water charges, sewerage fees have also seen a 25% surge, significantly boosting the total bill amount for citizens, according to a Deccan Herald report.
For residential users, the rate increase varies from 0.15 to 1 paisa per litre based on usage tiers. Those living in high-rise buildings will be charged 0.3 to 1 paisa more per litre, while industrial users must bear a heavier hike — ranging from 0.9 to 1.9 paise per litre. Additionally, sanitary charges for households relying on borewells or wells have risen by ₹30 for domestic users and ₹125 for commercial setups.
This tariff revision comes on the heels of recent increases in electricity rates, milk prices, fuel, and transport fares — all contributing to a rising cost of living in the city.
BWSSB Chairman Dr. Ramprasat Manohar explained that the board’s monthly operational cost stands at ₹200 crore, while revenue collection is just ₹120 crore, resulting in a ₹80 crore deficit. He emphasized that the price hike is necessary for maintaining and upgrading infrastructure.
Beyond water, other essential services have become costlier — from Metro fares (now ₹90 max), state bus fares (up 15%), Nandini milk (₹4/litre hike), to fuel and electricity rates seeing steady upward revisions.
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