Consumers to pay more for water from October 1

As of October 1, 2007, domestic and commercial consumers of the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) and its Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) will be paying more for the use of their services.{{more}}

At a press conference held on Tuesday at the CWSA’s headquarters, General Manager Garth Saunders announced the increases, while noting that the new rates are absolutely necessary for the company to remain viable and among other things, service current debts and undertake future projects.

Domestic consumers are expected to pay from $1, to a maximum of about $6 on their current water charges, and an extra $3 to $5 on the current garbage removal fees.

As previously reported by Searchlight Newspaper, households using under 2,500 gallons of water per month will have nothing added to the $5.50 monthly consumption charge, while those using between 2,501 and 5,000 gallons will pay one dollar more.

Using between 5,001 and ten thousand gallons will cost a consumer a further $2.20, with rates moving from $8.80 to $11, and 10,001 to fifteen thousand gallons will see a $6.20 increase from $8.80 to $15.

For those using over 15,000 gallons, the rate will increase from $16.50 to $20.

According to Saunders, the garbage removal exercise, has not been profitable since its inception, and has been subsidized ever since.

Consumers on the mainland, who have been paying $5 a month for the service, will now pay $8, a $3 increase.

In the Grenadines, where the cost of garbage disposal was free, consumers will now pay $5 per month.

Commercial water rates have increased by $4 to $11 in some cases, and up to $70 for garbage disposal.

Saunders indicated that the CWSA is looking at generating at least three million dollars in revenue through these increases.

He said that the revenue will benefit not only the company, but also its consumers through the current and upcoming projects.

The last rate hike at the CWSA was in 2002.