Water tariffs will be increased by a marginal amount in response to the recent rise in electricity charges, Housing, Construction and Water Supply Minister Susil Ranasinghe said. Speaking to the media in Colombo on Tuesday (02), Ranasinghe said the adjustment would be made in proportion to the impact of higher electricity costs on water supply operations. He explained that electricity expenses account for approximately 12 per cent of the water tariff structure and that the increase in electricity tariffs has affected that component. Responding to public concerns over a possible water tariff hike, Ranasinghe stressed that the increase would be minimal. “Many people are asking whether water bills will increase.

Electricity costs make up about 12 per cent of the water tariff, and that component has increased by around 18 per cent. As a result, only that portion will be adjusted on a per-unit basis. The increase will be very small,” he said.

He added that changes in electricity tariffs have a direct impact on water supply costs, making a minor revision to water charges necessary.