Soon, water bills linked to your income

Soon, you may have to pay your water bill depending on your income slab! As the Centre, for the first time, plans to formulate a national water pricing mechanism as part of its National Water Framework Bill 2016, a draft of which is almost ready, one of its most interesting features is the introduction of a “water pricing” mechanism, based on “a differential pricing system” for water’s “multiple roles”. For domestic supply, the draft proposes to adopt a “grade system”, which will ensure “full cost recovery pricing for high-income groups, affordable pricing for middle-income groups, and a certain quantum of free supply to the poor to be determined by the government, or alternatively, a minimal quantum of water may be supplied free to all”. The draft also claims that “water shall not be denied to anyone on the ground of inability to pay”.

While environmentalists have welcomed the draft bill, they say no one should get free water except in cases when they simply cannot afford it. Manoj Mishra, convenor of NGO Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan, said: “I would want the government to do away with the option in the draft which gives an ‘alternative of supplying minimal quantum of water free of cost’. There should not be any free supply at all, except in cases of the poor who can’t afford it, otherwise the system will degrade. People who can afford must pay the cost for whatever water they use.”

At present there are no uniform rates in states as water charges levied on irrigation, industrial and domestic usage varies from one region to another. Except Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, all states charge for water, but the cost recovery is abysmally low everywhere. Mr Mishra explains: “So far, the charges levied by states are so low and opaque that establishments cannot think of recovering the cost. There is no proper collection system in place. Whatever little revenue is generated is from urban areas, nothing from rural.” He adds: “It shows it (charging for water usage) has not been a priority for anyone till now, and water has been taken for granted.” The government, too, admits loss of revenue as well as wastage of water due to the ineffective pricing system.

The draft bill, on which comments are invited till June 25, also suggests “full economic pricing” for water used for “commercial agriculture and industry or commerce.” This was incorporated to ensure maximum cost recovery from commercial and industrial activities that guzzle the maximum share. “All states shall establish an independent statutory water regulatory authority for ensuring in a transparent and participatory manner, equitable access to water for all and its fair pricing depending on the purposes for which water is used,” says the draft, whose central theme is “water for life”. Mr Mishra, who was an IFS officer, said: “It is a very welcome bill and long overdue. However, certain portions need amendments, which we will be sending to the ministry.”