Malawi Government Approves New Water Tariffs for Blantyre Water Board

The Malawi government has approved new water tariffs for the Blantyre Water Board (BWB), while also considering applications from other water utilities in the country. Elias Chimulambe, the Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, made the announcement on April 23, 2024.

According to Chimulambe, the tariff adjustment for other water boards hinges on factors such as production costs. "The tariff adjustment for other boards depends on factors like production costs," he stated. The Water Services Association of Malawi (Wasama) president, Francis Munthali, said that other water boards have also applied for tariff revisions and the government is expected to complete the vetting process by May 2024.

The new BWB tariff structure, which will be effective from June 2023 and October 2023, includes a 40% and 50% increase respectively. There will be further 10% adjustments in the following two years. The tariff adjustments aim to improve service delivery and ensure the sustainability of the board's operations.

Why this matters: The approval of new water tariffs for the Blantyre Water Board and the consideration of applications from other utilities underscore the government's efforts to address the challenges faced by the water sector in Malawi. The tariff adjustments are expected to have a significant impact on the population, as access to clean and affordable water is vital for public health and economic development.

However, the Consumers Association of Malawi executive director, John Kapito, expressed concerns about the poor service delivery despite the tariff increases. The government's decision to approve the new tariffs and consider applications from other utilities comes at a time when many Malawians are wrestling with economic challenges and rising costs of living.

Key Takeaways

• Malawi govt approves new water tariffs for Blantyre Water Board, up to 50% increase.
• Other water utilities in Malawi also apply for tariff revisions, pending govt approval by May 2024.
• Tariff adjustments aim to improve service delivery and ensure sustainability of water boards.
• Consumers Association expresses concerns about poor service delivery despite tariff increases.
• Tariff hikes come amid economic challenges and rising cost of living for Malawians.