Water bills are an essential part of household expenses, reflecting the amount of water consumed and helping utility companies maintain infrastructure and resources. A water bill is typically calculated based on the volume of water used in a billing cycle, with the formula often taking the form:

Bill = (Consumption * Tariff) + Ewura Fee + Arrears from the Previous Month

Where:

• 
  Consumption is determined by subtracting the previous meter reading from the current reading: Consumption = Current Reading - Previous Reading.
• 
  Ewura Fee is often a small percentage fee applied to the bill, in this case, 1% of the total consumption cost.

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A high water bill can result from several causes. Leaks are a common culprit; a dripping tap, running toilet, or leaking pipe can waste thousands of liters, leading to unexpectedly high costs. Inefficient water use habits, such as long showers, frequent laundry loads, or excessive lawn watering, can also drive up the bill. In some cases, old or faulty water meters might inaccurately record higher consumption, and in households with multiple residents or large appliances, water usage tends to increase as well.

On the other hand, a lower-than-usual water bill could indicate issues, too. Inaccurate meter readings, either due to misreading the dials or mechanical faults, can lead to underbilling. If usage habits have changed, such as fewer residents in the household or conservation efforts (like using water-efficient fixtures), the bill may naturally decrease. However, persistently low bills may also hide underlying issues, like a damaged or faulty meter that could lead to sudden unexpected charges once corrected. Monitoring meter readings and understanding how they reflect water use can help households manage bills, reduce waste, and quickly identify unusual trends in consumption.

What Should I Do If My Bill Seems Higher Than Usual?

The most common reason for a high bill is a household leak. To find out if you have a household leak, make sure all the water inside and outside of the house has been turned off. Go out to your water meter and check to see if any of the dials on the meter are moving. If the dials are moving, you may have a household leak. Most often, household leaks are associated with toilets or faucets. You should also check the pipe between the meter and your house, the sprinkler system timer, water softener, water heater, and water filtration unit. If everything seems to be in order, or you need assistance, please call BAWASA Customer Care Office. We're here to help.

What Forms of Payment Does BAWASA Accept?

BAWASA accepts the following forms of payment paid via Valid Control Number

• Cash
• Cheque
• Electronic payments made through banks
• Mobile money services such as M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, and Airtel Money

You can conveniently pay your water bill using various banks and mobile network operators.