THE Georgetown Sewerage and Water Commissioners (GS&WC) yesterday announced that water tariffs/rates for city consumers have been increased with effect from January 1, 2002.

A statement from GS&WC said the Board of Commissioners at its monthly statutory meeting passed a resolution introducing the new tariffs for consumers.

The increase, it said, is introduced as a result of the GS&WC's commitment to finance, out of its own revenue, all its operating expenses.

Previously, the tariff rate for unmetered customers in `Rateable Value Bands 1 and 2' was $850 per month and attracted a Government subsidy of $250. The new tariff rate for this category remains at $850 per month but will now attract a Government subsidy of $142, the agency said.

Customers in unmetered Band Number 3 previously paid the full tariff of $850 per month, but the GS&WC said they will now pay $1,003 per month.

Unmetered customers in Rateable Value Bands 4 and 5 who previously paid a monthly tariff of $850 will now be required to pay $1,062 per month.

GS&WC said too that metered charges have increased from $60 to $75 per meter cube for customers in Rateable Value Bands 1 and 2. Customers in these bands previously paid $42 and $48 and enjoyed a Government subsidy of $18 and $12, respectively.

Customers in Bands 1 and 2 are now required to pay $50 and will enjoy a Government subsidy of $25.

Metered customers in rateable Value Band 3 who previously paid $60 per meter cube will now be required to pay $75 per meter cube.

GS&WC said metered customers in Rateable Value Band 4 and 5 who previously paid $60 per meter cube will now be required to pay $89 per meter cube.

Metered commercial and industrial customers previously paid $60 per meter cube. They are now required to pay $80 per meter cube, the body said.

Customers who apply for new service connections, after the introduction of the new tariff rates will not be required to pay for installation of any size of service connection requested, GS&WC said.

The modest increase in tariff for commercial, industrial and higher rateable properties is intended to attain GS&WC's objective of self-financing, it added.