The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) yesterday (29) assured that no revision of water tariffs would take place in response to a possible electricity tariff hike or declining reservoir levels.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, NWSDB Chairman Chandana Bandara said that higher electricity costs do not directly impact water tariffs and that existing water reserves remain sufficient for power generation. “Electricity accounts for only 20–30 percent of our operational costs.”

He added that water tariffs are revised only twice a year, with no adjustments made during the first six months. “A decision on a revision for the latter half of the year has not yet been taken. It is only after 30 June that an evaluation will be carried out to determine whether a price hike is needed,” he said.

Concerns over a possible water tariff hike have intensified ahead of a decision expected today (30) on whether to implement a 13.56 percent increase in electricity tariffs. While the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka is due to announce its final determination, CEB trade unions have already warned that a price hike is inevitable, citing potential inefficiencies following the dissolution of the Ceylon Electricity Board. 

Water levels in major reservoirs are rapidly falling because of dry weather conditions.