Why Paying Water Tax Matters in Chennai
Water in Chennai is taxed to ensure responsible usage and sustainable supply. The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) levies water charges based on the total rental value of a property, along with applicable taxes such as VAT and tap water charges.
Although natural water sources like ponds, lakes, and rivers exist, delivering safe, purified, and chlorinated piped water requires significant investment in infrastructure, treatment, and maintenance. If users do not pay for this service, the cost is borne by municipal bodies, reducing funds available for other essential civic services.
Free or underpriced water often leads to overuse and wastage. When water is perceived as cost-free, people tend to use more than necessary, resulting in inefficient consumption and strain on limited resources.
Importantly, water taxation generates revenue that is reinvested in expanding water treatment plants, purification facilities, and wastewater management systems, which are crucial for meeting the needs of a growing urban population.
