Homeowners and tenants in areas managed by Dubai Municipality will see a hike in sewerage fees from January 2025, which will reflect in their water and electricity bills.
Dubai Municipality on Tuesday announced that it has introduced a revised sewerage fee structure as part of its continuous efforts to enhance service quality and efficiency.
The sewerage tariffs for residents and businesses will be gradually increased over the next three years. The new sewerage fees will be 1.5 fils/gallon starting from the beginning of 2025, to 2 fils/gallon in 2026, and reaching 2.8 fils/gallon in 2027. The revised sewerage tariff remains well below the global average, including in cities with comparable GDP per capita.
The revised fees will be rolled out in phases over the next three years, and will be applied to existing customers that pay sewerage fees, within areas managed by Dubai Municipality. The announcement marks the first fee increase in a decade.
The new fees are aligned with the goal of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan to address the needs of the emirate’s rapidly growing population, according to the civic body.
“Dubai’s robust economic growth, coupled with a significant population increase, has driven the need for continuous infrastructure development across all service sectors to accommodate the needs of its expanding resident and visitor base. As Dubai continues to consolidate its status as a leading global hub and one of the world’s best places to live, work, and visit, its population is projected to reach around 7.8 million by 2040,” the authority stated
The primary aim of this increase is to promote water conservation in the emirate and contribute to fostering sustainable practices, preserving water resources, and creating a future-ready urban infrastructure that can meet the growing needs of Dubai residents and visitors, according to the municipality.
The last time Dubai increased the sewerage fee was in 2015. It was doubled to one fils per gallon of water since the start of March as part of a decree. While the municipality imposes the fee, the collection is handled by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and the fee is reflected in the DEWA bills of residents.
