Bengaluru Residents Face Higher Water Costs As BWSSB Nears ₹200 Crore Revenue

After years of struggling to balance its finances, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board is now seeing a steady improvement in its revenue, driven by a water tariff hike and stricter recovery of pending dues.

The board's income is now nearing ₹200 crore, a level that had remained out of reach for a long time as operational costs continued to rise. Officials say a combination of policy changes and sustained enforcement has started delivering results.

One of the key reasons behind the increase is the expansion of water connections under the Cauvery Phase 5 project. With more households brought under the network, the number of paying consumers has gone up, strengthening the board's revenue base.

At the same time, BWSSB has intensified its efforts to recover pending bills. Dues that had accumulated over the years are now being actively collected. Officials note that the groundwork for this improvement was laid over the past four to five years through consistent focus on streamlining collections.

Technology-led measures have also contributed to the increase in income. The board has carried out drives to curb unauthorised water and sewerage connections and improve sewage treatment systems. These steps have helped plug losses and improve efficiency within a short span.

On the expenditure side, BWSSB's monthly spending has risen to nearly ₹200 crore. Electricity alone accounts for around ₹90 crore, making it the largest component of its expenses.

Despite the high costs, the revenue trend is encouraging. By the third week of March, the board had already collected close to ₹190 crore. Officials expect the total to touch ₹200 crore by the end of the month, bringing the board close to balancing its income and expenditure after years of financial pressure.