Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Dhaka WASA) supplies water to over 20 million residents in the capital city. As water production costs rise, understanding how your utility bill is calculated can help you audit your monthly paper bills, detect household water leaks, and optimize consumption. WASA billing is structured around metered units, customer categories (residential versus commercial), a sewerage connection surcharge, and government VAT. This guide breaks down the billing formulas, the latest tariff rates, and how to read your water meter correctly.
Official Dhaka WASA Water Tariff Rates (2025-2026)
Dhaka WASA charges users based on the volume of water consumed, measured in units. One unit on a WASA meter represents 1,000 Litres of water, which is equivalent to 1 Kilolitre (KL) or 1 cubic meter (m³). The rate per unit is determined by the property classification:
Dhaka WASA Water Tariff per Unit (1,000 Litres)
| Connection Category | Water Rate per Unit (BDT) | Government VAT Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Connections | ৳ 16.61 / unit | 5.00% |
| Commercial / Industrial | ৳ 46.62 / unit | 5.00% |
Residential rates apply to individual houses, apartments, and residential buildings. Commercial rates apply to businesses, offices, factories, shops, and institutions. Commercial water rates are nearly three times higher than residential rates, reflecting the higher supply priority and volume demands.
The Sewerage Surcharge: The 100% Surcharge Explained
The most confusing line item on a Dhaka WASA bill is the Sewerage Surcharge (সুয়ারেজ চার্জ). If your building is connected to the Dhaka WASA underground sewerage network (which collects wastewater and routes it to treatment plants like the Pagla Sewage Treatment Plant), you are charged a surcharge equal to 100% of your water charge. If your property is not connected to a WASA sewer line and uses a septic tank, the sewerage surcharge is BDT 0.
Total Water Bill Formula: Water Cost = Metered Units (KL) * Tariff Rate Sewerage Surcharge = Water Cost (if connected to sewer) Bill Subtotal = Water Cost + Sewerage Surcharge Total Paid = Bill Subtotal * 1.05 (includes 5% Government VAT)
For example, if a residential building consumes 50 units (50,000 Litres) of water in a month: 1. Water Charge = 50 * 16.61 = BDT 830.50 2. Sewerage Surcharge (if connected) = BDT 830.50 3. Subtotal = 830.50 + 830.50 = BDT 1,661.00 4. Add 5% VAT: 1,661.00 * 0.05 = BDT 83.05 5. Total Bill Owed = BDT 1,744.05 If the building is not connected to the sewer line, the subtotal is BDT 830.50, and the total with VAT is BDT 872.03. As you can see, a sewer connection doubles the monthly utility bill.
How to Read Your Dhaka WASA Water Meter
Standard WASA water meters feature a mechanical display with black and red digits. Understanding how to read them is essential for checking bill accuracy:
- Black Digits: These numbers represent full units (cubic meters or 1,000 Litres). Only the black digits are recorded by WASA meter readers for billing. If the black digits show '00432', your building has consumed 432 units since the meter was installed.
- Red Digits: These numbers represent fractional units, measuring litres (down to single litres). These digits spin rapidly when water is running. While ignored for billing, they are crucial for detecting leaks. If the red numbers spin when all faucets are closed, you have a leak.
Tip
Check your monthly paper bill to verify that your connection classification (Residential) is correct, and audit the Sewerage Surcharge line. If your neighborhood does not have WASA sewer pipes but you are still being charged the 100% surcharge, file a dispute at your local WASA zone office to have it removed. Always pay your bills on time via mobile wallets (bKash/Nagad) or partner banks to avoid the 10% late payment penalty.