Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Water Bill & 20,000 Litres Subsidy Calculator
Official statutory calculation engine for Delhi domestic water bills. Computes the 20,000 Litre (20 kL) monthly free water subsidy (₹0 bill), bi-monthly 40 kL quotas, 60% sewer surcharge, and the 20 kL cliff penalty.
Under the Delhi Government Muft Paani Yojana, domestic households with a working water meter who consume up to 20,000 litres per month (40,000 litres bi-monthly) pay ₹0. If consumption exceeds 20,000 litres by even 1 litre, the 100% subsidy is revoked for the entire volume, and the full bill is charged across telescopic slabs plus 60% sewerage maintenance.
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Choose your meter reading frequency and connection status
Free quota is 20000 Litres (20 kL) per month
DJB Bill Component Breakdown
Official DJB Category I Domestic Tariff Slabs
Telescopic volume calculation based on official Delhi Water Board Gazette notifications
| Consumption Slab | Units in Slab (kL) | Rate per kL (₹) | Service Charge (₹) | Water Charges (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 20 kL | 18 kL | ₹5.27 | ₹146.41 | ₹94.86 |
| 20 to 30 kL | 0 kL | ₹26.36 | ₹219.62 | ₹0.00 |
| Above 30 kL | 0 kL | ₹43.93 | ₹292.82 | ₹0.00 |
| Total Water Consumption Charges | ₹94.86 | |||
| Add: Sewerage Maintenance Charge (60% of Water Charges) | + ₹56.92 | |||
| Add: Monthly Service Charge (Applicable to highest slab reached) | + ₹146.41 | |||
| Less: Delhi Government Free Water Scheme Subsidy (100% Waiver) | - ₹298.00 | |||
| Final Net Amount Payable | ₹0.00 (Zero Bill) | |||
How Delhi Jal Board Water Bills Are Calculated (Official Rules & Slabs)
Delhi Jal Board (DJB) bills Category I domestic consumers through a three-component tariff model consisting of volumetric water consumption charges, sewerage maintenance charges, and fixed monthly service charges:
Telescopic Consumption
Consumption is measured in kilo-litres (1 kL = 1,000 Litres). The first 20 kL is priced at ₹5.27/kL. Consumption between 21 and 30 kL jumps to ₹26.36/kL. Any volume exceeding 30 kL is billed at the peak rate of ₹43.93/kL.
Sewer Network Surcharge
If your residence is connected to Delhi Jal Board sewerage infrastructure, a statutory surcharge equal to exactly 60% of total water consumption charges is added to maintain city wastewater and sewage treatment plants.
Fixed Tier Maintenance
A fixed monthly fee is levied based on the highest slab reached: ₹146.41/month for 0–20 kL, ₹219.62/month for 21–30 kL, and ₹292.82/month for >30 kL. For bi-monthly billing cycles, service charges are doubled.
Official Delhi Jal Board Domestic Tariff Table (Category I)
| Monthly Consumption | Bi-Monthly Scale | Rate per kL | Monthly Service Charge | Sewerage Charge (60%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 20 kL | 0 to 40 kL | ₹5.27 (Free under subsidy) | ₹146.41 (Waived under subsidy) | Waived (₹0 under subsidy) |
| 21 to 30 kL | 41 to 60 kL | ₹26.36 | ₹219.62 | 60% of water charges |
| Above 30 kL | Above 60 kL | ₹43.93 | ₹292.82 | 60% of water charges |
Realistic Worked Examples Across Delhi Neighborhoods
Scenario 1: A 3-Member Family in Rohini Consuming 18,000 Litres (Zero Bill)
A family living in a DDA flat in Rohini consumes 18,000 Litres (18 kL) of water in a month. Because their consumption is below the 20,000-litre ceiling and their meter is functional, Delhi Government Mukhya Mantri Muft Paani Yojana waives the water charges (₹94.86), sewerage charges (₹56.92), and service fee (₹146.41). Their final net bill is ₹0.00.
Scenario 2: The 21,000 Litres Cliff Trap in Lajpat Nagar (Jump to ₹430)
During summer, a family in Lajpat Nagar accidentally consumes 21,000 Litres (21 kL)—just 1,000 litres above the quota. Because of the non-linear cliff rule, the subsidy is 100% revoked. They are billed for 20 kL @ ₹5.27 (₹105.40) + 1 kL @ ₹26.36 (₹26.36) = ₹131.76 in water charges, plus ₹79.06 in 60% sewerage maintenance, plus ₹219.62 in monthly service fee, resulting in a total bill of ₹430.44. That single extra 1,000 litres costs the family ₹430!
Scenario 3: A Joint Family in Greater Kailash Consuming 35,000 Litres
A 7-member joint family in GK-II consumes 35,000 Litres (35 kL) monthly. Their bill spans all 3 slabs: First 20 kL @ ₹5.27 (₹105.40) + Next 10 kL @ ₹26.36 (₹263.60) + Remaining 5 kL @ ₹43.93 (₹219.65) = ₹588.65 in water charges. Adding 60% sewer surcharge (₹353.19) and the top-tier service charge (₹292.82) yields a total monthly bill of ₹1,234.66 (approx ₹1,235).
Frequently Asked Questions on Delhi Jal Board Water Bills
How does the Delhi Jal Board 20,000 litres free water scheme work?▼
Under the Delhi Government Mukhya Mantri Muft Paani Yojana, domestic consumers with a functional water meter who consume up to 20,000 litres (20 kL) of water per month receive a 100% waiver on water consumption charges, sewerage maintenance charges, and service charges, resulting in a ₹0 water bill. For bi-monthly billing cycles, this free quota is proportionally scaled to 40,000 litres (40 kL).
What happens if water consumption exceeds 20,000 litres by even 1 litre?▼
This is the infamous 20 kL cliff trap. If your consumption reaches 20,001 litres or 21,000 litres (21 kL), the free subsidy is completely withdrawn for your entire consumption volume. You are billed for the full 21 kL across telescopic slabs (0–20 kL @ ₹5.27/kL + 21–30 kL @ ₹26.36/kL) plus the 60% sewerage surcharge and monthly service charge of ₹219.62, jumping your bill from ₹0 to ₹430+ for just 1,000 extra litres.
What are the current DJB domestic water tariff slabs?▼
For Category I domestic consumers: 0 to 20 kL is charged at ₹5.27 per kL (with ₹146.41 service charge, waived under subsidy if <=20 kL); 21 to 30 kL is charged at ₹26.36 per kL (with ₹219.62 service charge); and Above 30 kL is charged at ₹43.93 per kL (with ₹292.82 service charge). A sewerage maintenance charge equal to 60% of water consumption charges is also added if connected to the DJB sewer line.
Are unmetered or defective water meter connections eligible for the free 20 kL subsidy?▼
No. Having a functional and working water meter is a mandatory statutory prerequisite to qualify for the 20,000-litre free water subsidy under Delhi Jal Board regulations. Defective or unmetered connections are billed on standard deemed assessment norms and cannot receive a ₹0 zero bill.
What is the Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) penalty on DJB water bills?▼
Under DJB mandate, residential properties built on plots measuring 100 square meters or more are required to install functional Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) systems. Properties failing to install compliant RWH systems attract a 50% penalty surcharge on their combined water and sewerage bill. Properties with certified functional RWH systems receive a 10% rebate.
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