53 days to clear your bills or lose electricity!

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Households have 53 days to pay overdue electricity bills before facing disconnection, the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) has revealed.

The authority, responding to a parliamentary question, outlined that the countdown begins from the bill’s issue date and includes reminders via text and email before power is finally cut off.

EWA also disclosed plans to restructure the electricity and water sector with a proposed law separating operational and maintenance tasks from regulation and monitoring.

This move, inspired by successful examples across the Gulf Cooperation Council, is intended to sharpen oversight, strengthen financial accountability, and protect service quality while ensuring customers’ interests.

Structured approach

Address - ing overdue payments, the authority emphas i s e d i t s structured approach.

Monthly bills clearly show outstanding balances, and customers receive reminders before further steps are taken. Disconnection comes only after extensive warnings over the 53-day grace period.

For those struggling financially, the EWA offers options, including fixed monthly payment plans and instalments for overdue amounts, ensuring customers can maintain service while managing their finances responsibly.

The aut h o r i t y s t r e s s e d that these m e a s u r e s and changes are part of its broader effort t o i m p r o v e services and ensure consumers benefit from dependable, high-quality utilities.

Smart meters

On the subject of smart meters, the authority praised their ability to measure energy use with precision.

These advanced devices, meeting global performance standards, provide exact readings that help consumers monitor usage and better manage their bills.

With remote reading capabilities, the meters eliminate the need for manual checks, reducing the risk of errors and cutting costs for site visits.

Protections

EWA added that smart meters include built-in protections, such as automatic power cutoff during overloading, which prevent damage to household appliances and systems.

They also make activating or deactivating electricity accounts remarkably quick, allowing power to be switched on or off in mere minutes via the government e-services portal — a far cry from the previous system requiring forms and physical visits.