By Rahim Abdul
The Blantyre Water Board (BWB) has announced new water tariffs and service charges approved by the Government, with the revised rates taking effect from 1 August 2026.
In a statement issued on 12 August 2026, BWB said the tariff adjustment is aimed at strengthening the Board’s financial and operational sustainability.
The Board said the new tariffs will enable it to continue providing water services while implementing targeted improvements in its operations.
Among the key targets is reducing non-revenue water from the current 57 percent to 35 percent by 2030, as part of efforts to improve efficiency and minimise water losses.
BWB also said the adjustment will help enhance revenue collection and improve cost efficiency in its operations and maintenance activities.
Under the new tariff structure, domestic customers will see increases across all consumption bands. The first 5,000 litres, or part thereof, will now cost MK2.38 per litre, up from MK1.75.
For domestic customers consuming more than 40,000 litres, the tariff has increased from MK2.44 to MK3.22 per litre.
Meanwhile, institutional customers will pay MK5.41 per litre for the first 10,000 litres, up from MK3.98, while commercial customers in the same consumption band will pay MK7.80 per litre, compared to MK5.20 previously.
Industrial customers face the steepest increases, with the rate for the first 10,000 litres rising from MK7.28 to MK10.92 per litre, while consumption above 40,000 litres will increase from MK9.10 to MK13.67 per litre.
However, communal water points, commonly known as water kiosks, will remain unchanged at MK0.66 per litre, according to BWB.
