Usage-based billing for water supply urged

Speakers at a dialogue yesterday suggested lifting the traditional water billing method and introducing a “progressive water tariff” system, comprising usage-based billing slabs, to make water available to all in the capital.
“Those who earn more and use more water must pay more and those who cannot afford it can be provided water for free,” said HT Imam, an adviser to the prime minister, as the chief guest.
WaterAid, World Bank and Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) organised the dialogue, “Progressive water tariff, potentials and challenges”, in the capital's Ruposhi Bangla Hotel.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon Vice President Prof Nazrul Islam said Dhaka Wasa could impose the system on non-slum area residents but then the consumers must be divided into slum and non-slum categories.
Prof Firoz Ahmed said the system had many positive sides but one issue was that an area had different classes of people and Dhaka Wasa, at its present condition, was not capable of introducing the system.