The Lesotho Electricity and Water Authority (LEWA) responded to the water and sewerage tariff increase application of Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO), for the 2019/2020 financial year in Maseru on Friday.

The chairperson of LEWA board of directors Mr Relebohile Charles Mosito said in a meeting held on Friday the 19th July 2019, LEWA board decided and approved the volumetric water tariffs to be increased by 3% for all consumers.

He said the standing charge will be increased by 4.7% for all consumers categories except for Band A, and that the standing charge for Band A domestic customer category, being those consuming between zero to 5 000 liters per month will remain zero, as opposed to the proposed M10.00.

Mr Mosito indicated that WASCO is allowed a revenue requirement of M212.64 million for water production and distribution business, as opposed to M246.25 million proposed by the company.

He said Sewerage Revenue Requirement is allowed at M34.61 million as proposed by WASCO, and that other charges such as connection fees will remain unchanged.

He further clarified that the new tariffs will become effective from the 1st August 2019.