Water tarrifs increase for Samoa Water Authority (SWA) domestic/household and organisations/commercials’ customers commences today (Monday).

This was confirmed by the S.W.A. Chief Executive Officer, Seugamaali'i Jammie Saena in a previous interview with Samoa Observer. 

The main reason behind the change is to assist in meeting the operating costs of the organization, she said.

According to the new changes, the rates for the domestic/household connections for less than 15m3 cubic meters per month will increase from $0.50 to $0.77, whereas 15-40m3 will rise from $1.40 to $1.67. But for more than 40m3 it will increase from $1.90 to $2.17.

The new tariff for organisations and commercials’ connections for 1m3 - 40m3 will increase from $1.50 to $1.77 whereas more than 40m3 will increase from $1.90 to $2.27 – a cubic meter (m3) is equal to 1000 litres of water.

Seugamaali'i said that the new increase will not have an effect on wastewater tariffs.

“Water bills contribute only to operation and maintenance, not building the infrastructure as this is usually funded by donor funding - tariff is charged only to cover operation and maintenance. 

“The last time the authority made an increase in the rates was in 2009, and there are no plans for further increases. 

“Since June 2018 the authority's total number of household and commercial customers stands at 22,313. Households account for 21,238 while commercial customers total 1,075.”