Antiguans and Barbudans are dealing with a new challenge following the recent sales tax hike. The government has decided to increase the cost of water, which has come as a surprise to many. The Cabinet announced this decision during a post-meeting briefing, stating that the new rates would be effective from March 1 for commercial customers.
New residential rates will come into effect a little later down the line.
Melford Nicholas, who oversees the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), has explained that the Cabinet did approve the new rates.
He has also instructed the management team to work towards implementing the changes. General commercial customers will now have to pay an extra EC$10 per 1000 gallons, which is a 20% increase. However, the cruise port faces a massive 75% increase, which means an additional EC$25 per 1000 gallons.
Nicholas has emphasized that these rate adjustments are necessary to repay loans for improved water infrastructure. He has stated that these changes will allow them to recover the money that will produce more water.
This, in turn, will help them service the loan from more internal resources.
The consolidated loan from ACB and its partners will allow them to improve their metering systems. Despite these plans, some unhappy residents have cited irregular water access.
Nicholas has assured them that the rate changes would improve service reliability and that there is a potential end to water woes in the foreseeable future.
water rates are increasing and no good service. Sad!
How much are domestic households paying for potable water in D/ca? pr. litre or cubic metre?
I am surprised Antigua is selling water to cruise ships.
Many Antiguans are complaining that the water they receive in their homes is brownish. How unfair and in senate it is to increase the water rate which consumers deem ‘undrinkable’!
Life in Antigua mirrors that of Dominica. Both maladministrations are jeopardizing the once reasonable quality of life of the citizens and residents. CORRUPTION and INCOMPETENCE of the incumbent regimes combine to erode the gains of previous administrations.
Dominican living in Antigua here. We don’t drink the pipe water (you mad!). We have to buy drinking water separate from what APUA charges. So, an its an additional increase to have pipe water, plus whatever the other water companies charge for drinking water
but wait na…..can Dominica sell some water to Mr. Indian county…to relieve some pain ?