17 March 2022 05:05 pm Views - 1960
The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has decided to disconnect water supply for all consumers who haven't settled their water bills since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, NWSDB Additional General Manager (Billing) Piyal Pathmanatha said.
He stated that the NWSDB has Rs. 7.5 billion in arrears from its consumers for having carried out uninterrupted water supply during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the NWSDB has given numerous chances to settle their dues. These payments will be subject to an additional 2.5% as surcharge, he said.
"The NWSDB is contemplating to waive off Rs.1 billion from the surcharges from consumers' accounts in May 2020, considering the situation at that time. Installment schemes were given to the tourism sector to settle their outstanding payments, "Pathmanatha said.
Every consumer can request for an installment payments from their respective regional offices to settle their overdue, if they are finding it difficult to settle them at once.
Nevertheless, after the disconnection, the total payment should be made in order to restore water supply, he added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)