Bahrain authorities urged to probe into "abnormally high" utility bills

TDT | Manama           

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Staff Reporter

People in Bahrain are urging the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) to probe into the recent “abnormally high utility bills”. They are not able to understand the sudden surge in utility bills while consumption has remained relatively the same.

A consumer, who requested anonymity, told The Daily Tribune said he was shocked to receive a huge electricity and water bill. “Being a middle-class expatriate family residing in Bahrain, we always keep a check on our utility consumption. I am shocked to find a bill of BD60 for just 15 days while our monthly bills usually range between BD50 and BD55," he said.

“I urge the EWA authorities to probe into the matter. We are living in the post-pandemic period and face many financial challenges and are not in a position to afford these bills. This, I feel, could be a technical error, which we want to be rectified soon."

Another resident said she was clueless about how to pay her monthly EWA bill of BD172. “My bill has shot up alarmingly and I have complained to the EWA, who claims there is no technical error and it is the actual amount.”

A third EWA customer said his bill has tripled from BD50 to BD150. “I can’t believe this. I am certain that this is a billing error, which EWA must probe into. My monthly income is just BD450 and how can I pay BD150 for just electricity and water?”  

Earlier, lawmakers had urged the EWA to ensure the accuracy of meters following complaints from citizens and residents. The Daily Tribune has earlier reported about people receiving absurdly high water and electricity bills owing to some technical glitches. The errors were supposedly caused by water meter readers following the digital updating process.

The EWA had recently launched the ‘Fixed Billing System’. The system provides users with the option of receiving a fixed monthly bill, based on their average annual usage.

It is part of a host of initiatives being developed by the authority, to provide high-quality, advanced and innovative solutions to all the customers, while making sure that the sustainability of the provided services is ensured. The Fixed Billing System allows subscribers greater flexibility in settling their bill payments through direct debit without delay thus avoiding service interruptions.

The bills will be based on the users’ average annual consumption, allowing for better financial management and planning, while avoiding high bills during the hot summer months when electricity consumption is expected to increase. The subscription period in the system is for 12 months, starting from the date of subscription and automatically renewed unless the subscriber requests its cancellation.

As the year ends, the difference between the actual bill and the amount paid is calculated. If the amount paid is more than the billed amount, the surplus is used as credit in the subscriber’s account, and in instances where the amount paid is short, then the remaining amount is transferred to the following year’s balance and the customer is allowed to pay in instalments.

EWA officials could not be reached for comment.