New homeowners in Oman to pay this much for drinking water connection

Muscat: New homeowners will pay at least OMR700 to connect to water services, following a decision by the Public Authority for Water (Diam).
Earlier this week, the authority issued a law regulating water services and setting a fee for connecting drinking water to residential plots. Those with an area of less than 2,000 square metres will pay OMR700 with the fee increasing depending on the size of the plot.
Diam has clarified that the fee only applies to new homes and does not include homes that already receive drinking water services.
An official at the authority told Times of Oman: “Previously, the fees for the delivery of drinking water services were determined by the company which awarded the tender. That fee started at OMR60 then the cost increased depending on the distance, location and the actual cost of delivery work.”
In an online statement, Diam said: “The fees for connecting the new drinking water service reflect the actual average cost of extending the networks, taking into account the components of the water system, which include the main water pipes, pumping stations, collection tanks, and main distribution lines”
Monthly payment
The ONA700 fee is not payable on delivery for private homeowners but will instead be added to the monthly water bill at a rate of OMR10 for 70 months.
The authority also stated that individuals receiving social security will be exempt from paying the OMR monthly fee.
“In line with our social responsibility, we have worked in coordination with the Ministry of Social Development and agreed that the Authority shall bear the monthly cost of OMR10 for social security members upon submission of the application.”
However, the total cost for other commercial, industrial, and government uses will be paid up front. Government buildings with an area of over 500 square metres will pay OMR1,400 for water services and those that exceed 2,000 square metres will pay OMR2,800.
For commercial, industrial and tourist buildings, the fee starts from OMR2,100 if the building area is less than 500 square metres, reaching OMR4,200 for buildings of more than 2,000 square metres.
The authority also announced that water service may be disconnected from the subscriber in a number of cases, such as to work to improve, rehabilitate or maintain any component of the service.
However, in cases of cutting off the service due to late bill payment, the consumer will have to pay the cut service fee of OMR30 and the reconnecting fee of OMR30.
Bills must be paid within 30 days of issue and consumers will be warned after 45 days of non- payment that their service will be terminated.
Article 24 of the decision stated that: “If the payment is delayed for more than 45 days the consumer shall be notified of the termination of the service after 10 days from the date of the warning.
“The service shall be returned only upon payment of arrears, or agreement on the monthly instalments, which will include the payment of cutting fees and re-connecting fees.”