NRWB hikes water tariffs, users angered

The Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) has hiked water tariffs, citing increased costs of production and maintenance as the reasons.

Water tariffs for institutions have gone up by 35 percent, commercial entities and industries 40 percent; high density areas, 23 percent; medium density areas, 25 percent; low density areas, 30 percent and communal water points, 20 percent.

NRWB public relations manager Edward Nyirenda confirmed the adjustment in an e-mail on Monday.

“It is true that government has approved water tariffs adjustment effective July 2013,” said Nyirenda.

He said this is the only way the board can sustain water production, distribution and enhance quality service delivery.

“Operational costs have significantly gone up such as the hike in electricity tariffs which has had an impact on our monthly electricity bills. Costs of maintaining machinery for production and distribution have also gone up,” added Nyirenda.

Minimum charge for high density areas has shot from K469.45 to K577.42; medium density areas from K534.93 to K668.66; low density areas to K764.21 from K587.85; for communal water points has risen from K394.87 to K473.84 and for institutions it is K1 119.27 from K829.09.

Consumers have described the move as unfair, saying they still get a raw deal in terms of water service delivery.