The Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) has announced a 10% increase in water prices effective from July 1.
According to the new pricing structure, the residential rate per unit (1,000 liters) will rise to Tk16.7, up from Tk15.18, while the commercial rate will increase to Tk46.2, up from Tk42.
A notification issued on Wednesday (May 30) stated, “Dhaka Wasa’s respected customers are hereby informed that the prices were adjusted due to inflation according to section 22 of the Wasa Act 1996.”
The notification further mentioned, “This decision will also apply to unmetered holdings, deep tube wells, buildings under construction, and all types of (water and sewage) charges, including minimum bills. The notification is published as per section 23 of the Wasa Act 1996.”
In July 2022, Wasa had raised water prices by 5%, with the new rates becoming effective from September 1.
“According to the law, Wasa can raise water tariffs by 5% every year to adjust with inflation, and Wasa hiked the price as per the law,” said Dip Azad, a member of the Dhaka Wasa board.
Section 22 of the Dhaka Wasa Act-1996 permits the authorities to increase water tariffs by a maximum of five percent each fiscal year upon the board’s approval.
In 2017, water prices were Tk10 per unit for residential consumers and Tk32 for commercial users. Wasa implemented a five percent price hike for three consecutive years starting from 2017. In 2020, residential water prices saw a 25% increase following government approval.
