Bengaluru PG owners hit hard by BWSSB’s steep 70-80% water bill increase

Bengaluru PG owners were jolted this May when the Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board dramatically raised water tariffs, imposing a steep 70-80% hike on commercial accounts, turning what was once a modest monthly bill into a major financial strain. The astonishing increase was witnessed on bills issued this month, with some PG outlets being charged Rs 23,682 for April’s usage after paying only Rs 3,450 in March.

Also Read:Bengaluru’s PG sector struggles amid BBMP crackdown and soaring operational costs

The steep rise stems from BWSSB’s decision to re‑classify commercial properties such as PGs under higher tariff slabs. While April bills were billed at regular rates, May saw a sharp revision, effectively multiplying monthly charges by nearly eight times. The PG Owners’ Association considers this move sudden and arbitrary.

In response, the Association has formally appealed to BWSSB’s Chief Engineer and submitted a petition at the Board’s central office. Their plea demands transparency in tariff classification, exemption for small-scale PGs, or a rollback of the punitive rate increase.

This targeted increase reflects BWSSB’s broader push to raise revenue amid rising operating costs. However, local stakeholders argue that the one-size-fits-all rate adjustment ignores differences in usage and affordability. PG operators warn that such burdensome billing may cascade into higher rents or even closures, affecting students and young professionals who rely on affordable stays.

The PG Owners’ Association hopes BWSSB will reconsider its action or introduce a tiered model where micro-scale establishments are billed fairly.