Mzuzu — Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) has adjusted water tariffs upwards with effect from this month (July), citing escalating production costs as the main reason.

NRWB Public Relations Manager, Edward Nyirenda, told Malawi News Agency in an interview on Tuesday that the adjustment was effected as a measure to enable the board to sustain water production and distribution, and enhance service delivery to its customers.

He disclosed that the water board does not get subventions from government and it utilizes its own resources for service production and distribution, so the adjustment is reflecting the current cost of living.

"Northern Region Water Board does not get subventions from the Government for its operations, meaning the [water] board utilizes its own resources generated from payment of water bills to run its operations," he said.

He added that the adjustment is inevitable considering the costs of production that he said have gone up in recent times, saying the water the board had no alternative.

Nyirenda further said operational costs have significantly gone up because of the recent rise in electricity tariffs which had an impact on monthly electricity bills the board pays to ESCOM.

The PRO further disclosed that the new tariff adjustment has been approved by government.

According to Nyirenda, the costs of maintaining the reticulation system machinery ( for production and distribution) have also gone up forcing the water institution to cough more for equipment and other raw materials such as chemicals.

"Water tariffs have been adjusted upwards to help the board meet escalating production costs so that the board is in a better position to serve its customers," he said.

The water board has adjusted the tariffs as follows; institutions 35 per cent, commercial institutions and industries will now pay 40 per cent more.

For domestic purposes, the board has adjusted its tariff by 23 per cent in high density areas, 25 per cent in medium density areas and 30 per cent in low density areas.