UAE | Government
Dubai residents complain of hikes in water, electricity tariffs
However charges have remained unchanged since January, Dewa official says
- By Zaher Bitar, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 October 19, 2011
Dubai: Complaints about hidden increases in power or water tariffs are baseless, according to Dubai Government officials who said residents who feel their utility bills are extraordinarily high should first check wastage in their homes before blaming utility meters or wrong consumption readings.
Officials at the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) advised residents to stop wastage of "precious resources".
Saeed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive officer of Dewa, told Gulf News: "Prices for water and power in Dubai have not increased since being revised in January."
However, he attributed the higher power bills to the increase in consumption especially during the summer months.
Gulf News checked the readings in a number of bills, compared them with the figures in the corresponding meters and checked the way the total amount in the bill was calculated, and found that there were no hidden increases in utility bills issued by Dewa.
Fuel surcharge
In January this year, water and utility rates were increased by around 15 per cent in addition to fuel surcharges. "The 15 per cent increase in water and electricity tariff had to be done in accordance to the ongoing increase in fuel and gas prices in the global market," Al Tayer said.
He also added that additional fuel surcharge would be shown separately in electricity and water consumption bills.
This value added is to show the cost of the fuel used in the water and electricity consumption. It will fluctuate according to the fuel prices globally. However, the value balance will be credited back to the bill holders in case of a fuel price drop.
Al Tayer said, "Even the price of fuel surcharge was fixed during the last six months."
He said the existing tariff in Dubai is one of the most competitive when compared with international tariffs.
Steep hikes: Residents shocked
Mohammad, a Dubai resident, who lives in a two-bedroom house in Al Aweer was shocked by the over 300 per cent increase in his Dewa bills.
"I have been in Dubai for over ten years and in the same house over five years and my electricity bill has never gone above Dh500 but my bill for September alone was equal to three months' payments."
"I am really surprised, and I thought that I have a problem in the water and electricity meters but Dewa checked them and said that my readings are accurate."
Mohammad cannot believe that he has consumed so much electricity. "It is incredible," he added.
"I cannot afford to pay the increased cost every month. I am sure there is a mistake somewhere," he added.
Lina, another resident in Dubai, said her bill jumped by Dh400 in September.
She said: "This increase cannot be justified, and I am not convinced that my consumption increased in September.
"I have been in the same apartment for over a year and my bills have been steady all this time. We are not a big family. I and my roommate work the whole day and we come back home only at night."
Lina checked with Dewa if there was a mistake or inaccuracy in the account to be told that the figures in the bill were her own and the hike was due to increase in consumption. However, the residents suspect that they have been overcharged.
Facts and figures
The current slab tariff of water consumption for residential sector for expatriates increased in January 2011 from 3 fils to 3.5 fils/Gallon up to the consumption of 6000 gallons, and from 3,5 fils to 4 fils/gallon from 6000 gallons to 12000 gallon, and from 4 fils to 4,6 fils/gallon for usage above this level every month.
As for the commercial and government consumption and the like, the tariff per gallon has been increased from 3 fils/gallon to 3,5 fils/gallon for consumption of 10,000 gallon, and from 3,5 fils/gallon to 4 fils/gallon for the consumption between 10,000 gallon and 20,000 gallon, and from 4 fils/gallon to 4,6 fils/gallon for more than 20,000 gallon per month.
Regarding the residential use of electricity, the tariff has gone up from 20 fils/kw to 23 fils/ kw for the consumption of up to 2000 kw, and from 24 fils/ kw to 28 fils/ kw for above 2000 kw and up to 4000 kw, and from 28 fils/ kw to 32 fils/ kw for above 4000 kw to 6000 kw, and from 33 fils/ kw to 38 fils/ kw for above 6000 kw per month, whereas the tariff of the industrial and governmental consumption is from 20 fils/ kw to 23 fils/kw for up to 10,000 kw use and from 33 fils/ kw to 38 fils/kw for above 10,000 kw per month.
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