PWD introduces 2 new categories of water consumers

Margao: The PWD has introduced two new categories of water supply consumers, semi-domestic consumers (SDC) and home stays.
This move is expected to bring in additional revenue from the new premises, which are getting registered for rentals or offering tourism-related facilities.
A notification specifying water tariff for the two new categories has been notified in the latest gazette. This comes less than two weeks since the government increased the tariff for water consumers by 5%
According to the notification issued by principal chief engineer, U P Parsekar, water tariff for small hotels and restaurants, hostels having less than 15 rooms, government tourist hostels (non air-conditioned) having area upto 150sqm will be made applicable to home stays.
Single-water connection utilised for extended rental dwelling units not having separate house numbers shall be categorised as semi-domestic consumers. Tariff as applicable to domestic consumers will be made applicable to this category with additional tariff of Rs 300 per rented premises, irrespective of its occupancy and the tariff.
However, in order to avail the benefits of common domestic water connection tariff, to two or more house/flats/duplexes, the consumer will be required to obtain house numbers to each extended rental dwelling unit, the notification states.
In case of small hotels and restaurants, hostels having less than 15 rooms, government-run tourist hostels (non air-conditioned) having area upto 150sqm and home stays, water will be billed at the rate of Rs 25 per cum for the first 80cum of water consumed, and Rs 30 per cum for consumption above 80cum, or contract demand or 10cum per month, whichever is higher.
The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa has for long been demanding for the registration of all premises used for tourism-related activities. The tourism department has already gone on a drive to bring new premises under registration.