Domestic customers not under the government’s free water initiative and using 50 cubic meters of water will see their water bill go up by $8.12 per quarter if the Fijian Consumer and Competition Commission approves an application from the Water Authority of Fiji to increase water charges.

WAF has proposed a quarterly 7 cents increase in water charges for those who use up to 50 cubic meter, an increase of 20 cents for those who use between 51-100 cubic meter and a 39 cents increase for above 101 cubic meter usage.

This is in addition to a charge of $4.62 to be established as a quarterly minimum charge per customer.

Domestics customers using 50 cubic meters of water per quarter will have an increase in $8.12 in their bill, while those using 90 cubic meter will pay $16.12 extra.

Usage of 150 cubic meter water will see an increase of $37.22.

For those under the free domestic water initiative, WAF is proposing a 1 cent increase for those who use between 24-50 cubic meter, 4 cents increase for those using between 51-100 cubic meters and 7 cents increase for above 101 cubic meter users.

For commercial users, a $1 increase is being proposed for those using 400 cubic meters per quarter, $1.70 increase for those using between 401-5000 cubic meters and $2.30 increase for anyone using 5001 cubic meters and above.

Commercial water and wastewater customers who use 200 cubic meters will have an increase of $299.49 per quarter, 400 cubic meter users will pay $590.29 extra, those who use 1000 cubic meter will pay $1,869.49 more and $24,452 more will be paid those commercial customers who use 10,000 cubic meters and more.

83 cents per unit increase is being proposed for governments water usage charge.

For wastewater charges, WAF is proposing a charge of $4.07 to be established as a quarterly minimum charge per customer.

A 47 cents per unit increase is being proposed for domestic, domestic free water, commercial and government wastewater users.

“The vast majority of WAF’s customers are domestic water-only users. Further, over 60 per cent of domestic water customers use 90 units or less per quarter. Domestic customers who use both water and wastewater service would experience higher increases,” said WAF in its submission.

“Because wastewater tariffs of $0.20/m3 are so far below the cost to provide this service, a higher wastewater adjustment must necessarily be higher in order for wastewater to achieve operating cost self-sufficiency.”