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—guide:applicant:application:sample:water-bill [2026/06/03 17:01] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(RTI for water bill,disputed water bill RTI,water meter reading RTI,Delhi Jal Board RTI,BWSSB RTI,BMC water RTI,water tariff dispute,domestic vs commercial water tariff,sample RTI India 2026)
 +metatag-description=(Disputed water bill or wrong meter reading? Free RTI to your State water board. Sample letter, first appeal text, sources, FAQs. Citizen guide 2026.)}}
 +
 +====== Sample RTI: Disputed Water Bill, Meter Reading and Connection History ======
 +
 +{{:icons:file.svg?24&nolink|File}}
 +
 +<WRAP center round tip 100%>
 +**Direct answer.** If your water bill looks wrong, file a free RTI to the **Public Information Officer of your State or city water utility** (Delhi Jal Board, BWSSB, BMC Water, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply, etc.). Ask for the connection-ID file, twelve months of meter readings, the billing calculation, the tariff applied, and the meter test certificate. Reply due in 30 days under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005. Fee: Rs 10 (BPL: nil).
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== When to use this RTI =====
 +
 +  * Bill amount jumps without a corresponding rise in usage.
 +  * Domestic premises charged at **commercial / bulk tariff**.
 +  * Bill issued for a sealed or disconnected meter.
 +  * Estimated bills (Code A / Code E) running for more than two cycles despite working meter.
 +  * Meter replaced without the old meter's final reading recorded.
 +  * Sewerage charge added without sewer connection in your locality.
 +  * Penal interest charged on a bill already paid.
 +  * Disconnection notice issued for a disputed bill before the dispute is decided.
 +
 +===== When NOT to use this RTI =====
 +
 +  * **Routine bill correction**: try the consumer-grievance cell of your water utility first; most issue corrected bills in 7 to 15 days.
 +  * **Service deficiency claim**: if you want compensation for water-supply failure, file at the **District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission** under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
 +  * **Asking for a neighbour's bill**: that engages Section 8(1)(j); the PIO will refuse.
 +  * **Tap-water quality complaint**: file with the State Pollution Control Board or your utility's quality cell first.
 +
 +===== Drafting notes =====
 +
 +  * State your **Connection ID / K-Number / Consumer Number** and the disputed billing months.
 +  * Limit the meter-reading request to **the last 12 months** so the PIO cannot plead voluminousness.
 +  * Ask for the **certified copy of the tariff order** in force on the disputed bill date.
 +  * Ask for the **meter test certificate** if you suspect a faulty meter.
 +  * Ask for the utility's **Standards of Performance (SoP) regulation** so you can compare against statutory time-lines.
 +  * Ask for the **complaint redressal log** if you have already lodged a written complaint.
 +  * Send by Speed Post (Acknowledgement Due).
 +
 +===== Privacy caution =====
 +
 +You may ask only for **your own connection records**: own meter readings, own bills, own complaint log. A neighbour's records, a previous tenant's records, or a builder's records for unsold flats fall within Section 8(1)(j) and are protected. The published **tariff order** and the **SoP regulations** are public documents and are freely disclosable.
 +
 +===== Sample format =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To
 +The Public Information Officer
 +[Name of water utility, e.g., Delhi Jal Board / BWSSB / BMC Water Department /
 + Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board / Karnataka Urban Water
 + Supply and Drainage Board]
 +[Full postal address, PIN]
 +
 +Subject: Application under Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005:
 +       Records relating to water connection [Consumer Number XXXX]
 +
 +Sir / Madam,
 +
 +1. I, [Full name], a citizen of India residing at [full address], apply under
 +   Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 for the records below.
 +
 +2. Particulars for record-identification:
 +       Connection / K-No / Consumer No : ________________
 +       Address of premises             : ________________
 +       Category at file (domestic/commercial/bulk) : ________________
 +       Disputed billing months         : ________________
 +
 +3. Information sought (please supply certified copies):
 +   (a) Certified copy of the connection-application file from inception to date.
 +   (b) Meter readings recorded for the last 12 calendar months, with date,
 +       time, and name of the meter reader.
 +   (c) Certified copy of the bill calculation worksheet for each disputed
 +       bill, including slab, multiplier, and adjustment entries.
 +   (d) Certified copy of the tariff order in force on the date of each
 +       disputed bill, and the public notification number.
 +   (e) If a meter test was carried out, the certified copy of the meter
 +       test certificate, with date and percentage error recorded.
 +   (f) Certified copy of my consumer-grievance complaint log, with the
 +       Standards of Performance compliance status for each complaint.
 +   (g) Sanctioned tariff category for the premises and the documents on
 +       which that category was fixed.
 +   (h) Name, designation and office address of the officer presently holding
 +       my file.
 +
 +4. I enclose the prescribed application fee of Rs 10 by way of Indian Postal
 +   Order in favour of the Accounts Officer of the public authority.
 +
 +5. Please send the reply to the address below by Registered Post.
 +
 +Yours faithfully,
 +Signature
 +Name    : ___________________
 +Address : ___________________
 +Date    : ___________________
 +</code>
 +
 +===== First appeal wording =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To
 +The First Appellate Authority
 +[Name of water utility]
 +
 +Subject: First appeal under Section 19(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005:
 +       Non-supply of records on water-bill dispute
 +
 +Sir / Madam,
 +
 +1. I filed RTI dated [DD/MM/YYYY] (Speed Post No. [XXXX]) seeking the records
 +   listed therein.
 +
 +2. The 30-day period under Section 7(1) expired on [DD/MM/YYYY]. The PIO has
 +   not replied / has replied partly on points: [list].
 +
 +3. I therefore appeal under Section 19(1) and pray that the PIO be directed
 +   to supply the records sought within the time fixed by you.
 +
 +4. I draw attention to Section 19(8)(a)(i) on costs and Section 20(1) on
 +   penalties.
 +
 +Yours faithfully,
 +Signature
 +Name    : ___________________
 +Address : ___________________
 +Date    : ___________________
 +</code>
 +
 +===== Sources =====
 +
 +  * [[https://cgwb.gov.in|cgwb.gov.in]]: Central Ground Water Board, water-resource policy.
 +  * [[https://djb.gov.in|djb.gov.in]]: Delhi Jal Board, sample State water utility.
 +  * [[https://bwssb.karnataka.gov.in|bwssb.karnataka.gov.in]]: Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
 +  * [[https://www.hmwssb.org|hmwssb.org]]: Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
 +  * The Right to Information Act, 2005, Sections 6(1), 7(1) and 19(1).
 +
 +===== FAQs =====
 +
 +==== Which utility is the right addressee? ====
 +
 +Use the utility printed on the bill itself: that is the public authority. In Delhi it is **Delhi Jal Board**, in Bengaluru **BWSSB**, in Mumbai the **Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Hydraulic Engineer's Department**, in Hyderabad **HMWSSB**, in Chennai **CMWSSB**, and so on. Each has its own PIO.
 +
 +==== Can I ask for the meter-test report? ====
 +
 +Yes. Once a consumer disputes a meter reading, the utility carries out a **meter accuracy test** under its Supply Regulations. The test certificate is part of your file and is fully disclosable.
 +
 +==== Why does the bill keep showing "estimated" usage? ====
 +
 +Your meter may be unreadable or the reader may have skipped the visit. The RTI compels the utility to disclose **why** estimation continued and **for how many cycles**. Estimation past two cycles is normally a violation of the utility's Standards of Performance.
 +
 +==== Can I get the tariff order under RTI? ====
 +
 +The tariff order is **already public** under Section 4(1)(b). The PIO must hand it over without quibble. If the bill applies a tariff different from the published order, that is direct evidence of overcharging.
 +
 +==== Will an RTI stop the disconnection notice? ====
 +
 +Not automatically. File a **written representation** with the PIO citing the pending RTI **and** approach the **Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum** of the utility. Most utilities stay disconnection while the dispute is under examination, but you must record the dispute in writing.
 +
 +===== Internal links =====
 +
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]]: builds a customised letter in 60 seconds.
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application:sample:start|Sample RTI index]]: full library.
 +  * [[guide:applicant:first-appeal|First appeal guide]]: Section 19(1) procedure.
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application:sample:electricity-complaint|Sample RTI: electricity DISCOM]]: utility cousin.
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application:sample:road-work|Sample RTI: road work]]: civic infrastructure cousin.
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application:sample:complaint|Sample RTI: complaint follow-up]]: generic complaint sample.
 +
 +**Last reviewed: 9 May 2026**
 +
 +//Sources verified against State water utility regulations, the Right to Information Act, 2005, and primary utility portals as on 9 May 2026.//
 +
 +{{tag>rti sample-rti water-bill water-utility djb bwssb applicant}}