Amid allegations of poor quality of tap water in the megacity, Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority has once again increased the price of water by 5 per cent for residential and commercial uses. At a virtual meeting on Monday, the Dhaka Wasa board approved the price hike proposal. The Wasa authorities said they increase the price of water by 5 per cent every year to adjust with inflation. Considering the Covid-19 pandemic, the price hike is not justified as most people have suffered income loss due to lockdown restrictions for 14 months since March 2020.
Criticising the tariff hike, the Consumers Association of Bangladesh said Wasa increased its water price despite the fact that its services and the water quality are poor. It has no moral right to increase water tariff as Wasa supplies contaminated water to the consumers. Wasa is also mired in systematic corruption. Starting from meter-readers to its top officials, there are many allegations of corruption against Wasa.
When the growing number of citizens are falling into the poverty trap due to pandemic-triggered income loss and unemployment, the price hike of basic amenities is unjustified and unacceptable. Different researches showed that more than 40 per cent of the people are in poverty and 50 per cent are facing income loss. This only indicates that the price hike is against the interest of consumers. The additional price of water will add to the burden on the poor and low-income people at a time when the authorities should provide water free of costs to the poor.
If the Wasa has the right to increase the price by supplying contaminated water to consumers, consumers have the right to protest as they have the right to get safe drinking water. Wasa should concentrate on improving the quality of water, replace the old supply lines, and set up free street hydrants for the poor and commuters to limit the consumers’ dependence on bottled water.
