Water tariffs in Lusaka to go up next year

Five water and sewerage companies in the country have indicated their intentions to adjust water tariffs for the period 2016 to 2018.

The five water utilities are Eastern, Luapula, Lukanga, Chambeshi and Western water and sewerages companies.

Speaking at the presentation of water tariffs adjustment proposals in Lusaka today,NWASCO acting Director Peter Mutale says the regulator will ensure that customers are not exploited, but at the same time ensure that the sustainability of the water and sewerage companies is not compromised.

Mr. Mutale explains that the water utilities’ presentations will be scrutinized and ascertained to be justifiable.

He says this does not mean unilateral increment of water tariffs, but a process that allows service providers to be heard.

Mr Mutale states that the presentation of proposals accords the water and sewerage companies an opportunity to substantiate and justify their proposed new tariffs which are preceded by consultative meetings with consumers in their respective service areas as required by the NWASCO tariff setting guideline.

He has since implored customers to take keen interest in the tariff consultative meetings stressing that their feedback is important.