Chennai: With election campaigning intensifying, homeowners have alleged that some municipalities and corporations are increasing drinking water charges quietly, without adequate public notice.
The complaint comes in the backdrop of property tax revisions in Tamil Nadu. After a steep hike in 2022, the state allowed urban local bodies to raise property tax by 6% annually through a 2024 government order. Residents say water charges are now being increased in line with these revisions.
Outside Chennai, water charges are meant to be collected based on household meters as per Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board rules. However, many meters are reportedly not functioning properly, leading several local bodies to levy charges as a percentage of property tax value. Activists allege that changes are being made without passing resolutions in municipal or corporation council meetings.
In Tambaram Corporation near Chennai, water charges were earlier collected at ₹100 per month (₹300 per quarter). Recently, the monthly charge was uploaded in the system as ₹150, and many residents discovered the increase only when attempting to pay online.
Social activist P. Viswanathan said a complaint was submitted to the corporation commissioner, after which the charge was reverted to the earlier rate. A Municipal Administration department official said no general order has been issued to raise water charges, and that the department is examining complaints about certain local bodies implementing hikes on their own.
