Water tanker rates rise sharply in peak summer

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Residents in the area, who depend on purchased water throughout the year, are now facing an increased financial burden as private tanker operators have raised their rates during peak summer.

As temperatures rise, water levels in wells have declined, prompting water suppliers to increase their prices. Consequently, tanker operators have also raised their charges, forcing residents to spend more.

Even before summer began, many borewells in the Satara–Deolai area had already dried up by December. Several others ran dry in February, leading to a noticeable water shortage in the locality. This increased the demand for water tankers. Prices have already gone up in April, and there is a possibility of further hikes in May.

Rise in tanker rates

For a 2,000-litre tanker, rates in February ranged between Rs 300 and Rs 400. These have now increased in April to Rs 500–Rs 600, while in some places they are between Rs 450 and Rs 500. For a 5,000-litre tanker, residents are paying as much as Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500.

Rates depend on well sources

In areas such as Satara–Deolai, Beed Bypass, the railway station vicinity, and the Satara Deolai Tanda area, earlier it cost Rs 50 to fill a 2,000-litre tanker from wells. Now, the same costs have doubled to Rs 100. For 5,000 litres, the filling charges range from Rs 200 to Rs 250.

“Due to the summer, we purchase a 2,000-litre tanker every three to four days. However, in April itself, the rates have increased to Rs 500–Rs 600.”

— Amol Rathod, resident Hariram Nagar, Deolai

“Tanker operators are charging around Rs 450. Often, we have to fetch water from areas like MHADA Colony or Garkheda.”

— Sandeep Mhaske, resident of Deolai area