The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is planning to increase water and sewerage charges in Islamabad for the first time since 2018. Officials say the existing rates are no longer sufficient to cover the cost of supplying water and sanitation services, prompting the authority to move forward with a revised tariff structure.
According to CDA officials, the civic agency currently recovers only around 20 percent of its total expenditure on water supply and sewerage services. The remaining costs are covered through government subsidies, making the existing pricing model financially unsustainable.
Sources said the CDA Board had already approved the proposed increase in principle last year, after which a public hearing was conducted to gather feedback from consumers and stakeholders. The authority is now preparing to implement the revised rates based on the outcome of that process.
An official said the proposal is expected to be sent to the federal cabinet for final approval. He added that the current water charges are “nominal” and do not reflect the actual cost of maintaining and operating Islamabad’s water supply system.
At present, consumers pay Rs16 per month for every 1,000 gallons of water. Government residences in Categories A, B and C are charged Rs96 per month, while D-type government houses pay Rs124. Private residential properties measuring up to 250 square yards currently pay Rs228 per month, whereas houses between 500 and 999 square yards are charged Rs280 monthly.
In addition to increasing water tariffs, the CDA also plans to raise sewerage charges and revise water connection fees. Officials believe the proposed changes will help improve cost recovery and support future investment in water infrastructure across the capital.
Islamabad continues to face a growing water shortage, with no major new water source added to the system in the past three decades. The CDA currently supplies around 70 million gallons of water per day, while the city’s estimated daily demand has exceeded 220 million gallons, creating a significant supply gap.
Officials said the increasing population has placed additional pressure on existing water sources, particularly during the summer months. Areas such as Ghouri Town and Sector H-13 now rely heavily on private water tankers due to declining groundwater availability. The CDA currently depends on Simly Dam, Khanpur Dam and tube wells for water supply, while work on two new dams and the Ghazi Brotha Scheme continues at a slow pace.
