MUSCAT: Consumers who use more than 5,000 gallons of water per month will have to pay higher tariffs as per a new decision issued by Public Authority for Water (DIAM).

The new regulation stipulates that the tariffs for supplying drinking water in bulk shall be collected from the entities (water tankers) contracted by the Authority for the wholesale supply of water, in accordance with the law.

The regulation stipulates that the subscriber of the potable water will be classified as government, commercial and residential units. Additionally, temporary connections for residential, commercial, industrial and governmental buildings will also have higher tariffs.

There will be an additional 5 per cent as administrative fees. Drinking water delivered through piped networks will be charged an additional 1 bz per gallon.

As per Article 3, the water tariff for residential estates is 2 baisa per gallon up to 5,000 gallons.

However, once the monthly consumption passes 5,001 gallons then the cost will increase to 2.5 baisa per gallon. The tariff for government institutions has increased from 2 baisa per gallon to 3.5 baisa per gallon.

Dr Abdulmalik bin Abdullah al Hinai, chairman, Public Authority for Water (DIAM), issued the administrative decree 2/2019.