New water regulations: MCI imposes tax on borehole water extraction

By Faizan Khan

ISLAMABAD: In a significant policy shift, the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad has announced the end of free groundwater extraction through boring.

The new regulation aligns with the city’s municipal by-laws, which previously went unenforced, allowing numerous households to draw water without cost. This practice often led to wastage, disregarding the increasing scarcity of water resources.

Under the new mandate, residents of Islamabad will be required to pay for groundwater usage, treating it akin to other utilities such as electricity and gas. A notification issued by the authorities outlines the tax imposition on boring, aiming to regulate and monetize the groundwater supply.

The categorization of bore connections is now determined by the motor’s horsepower and the pipe’s diameter, with distinct water charges assigned to each category.

Residential and commercial entities will face the following charges:

• Residential Charges:
  • A motor of 0.5 HP with a 1-inch pipe: Rs1,000 per month.
  • A motor of 2 HP with a 2-inch pipe: Rs2,500 per month.
  • Motors ranging from 7.5 to 15 HP with a 3-inch pipe: Rs10,000 per month.
  • Motors ranging from 15 to 25 HP with a 4-inch pipe: Rs20,000 per month.
  • Motors ranging from 20 to 30 HP with a 5-inch pipe: Rs20,000 per month.
  • Motors ranging from 40 to 50 HP with a 6-inch pipe: Rs50,000 per month.
  • Motors ranging from 70 to 100 HP with an 8-inch pipe: Rs100,000 per month.
  • Motors ranging from 140 to 160 HP with a 9-inch pipe: Rs200,000 per month.
• Commercial Charges:
  • For a 0.5 HP motor with a 1-inch pipe: Rs2,000 per month.
  • For a 2 HP motor with a 2-inch pipe: Rs4,000 per month.
  • Motors ranging from 7.5 to 15 HP with a 3-inch pipe: Rs15,000 per month.
  • Motors ranging from 15 to 25 HP with a 4-inch pipe: Rs25,000 per month.
  • Motors ranging from 20 to 30 HP with a 5-inch pipe: Rs25,000 per month.
  • Motors ranging from 40 to 50 HP with a 6-inch pipe: Rs75,000 per month.
  • Motors ranging from 70 to 100 HP with an 8-inch pipe: Rs150,000 per month.
  • Motors ranging from 140 to 160 HP with a 9-inch pipe: Rs300,000 per month.

The move is expected to encourage responsible consumption and conservation of water, addressing the critical need for sustainable water management in the capital city.