Last updated: 25 October 2026
The Saudi water tariff 2027 is now set. The National Water Company (NWC) announced on 25 October 2026 that from 1 January 2027 homes will pay between SAR 1 and SAR 6 per cubic metre of water across four tiers, plus half that rate again for wastewater. A new fixed monthly charge of SAR 30 to SAR 150 for water and wastewater together replaces the current meter service fee.
What changed in the Saudi water tariff 2027
Household water moves to four consumption tiers, and wastewater is always charged at half the water price. The tiers are measured in cubic metres (m³) per month, as shown on your NWC bill.
| Monthly use (residential) | Water, SAR per m³ | Wastewater, SAR per m³ |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 15 m³ | 1 | 0.50 |
| Above 15 to 30 m³ | 2 | 1 |
| Above 30 to 45 m³ | 4 | 2 |
| Above 45 m³ | 6 | 3 |
The new fixed monthly charge depends on the meter’s diameter. For homes, water and wastewater together come to:
- Meter up to 20 mm: SAR 20 water plus SAR 10 wastewater
- 21 to 40 mm: SAR 40 plus SAR 20
- 41 to 65 mm: SAR 60 plus SAR 30
- 66 to 100 mm: SAR 80 plus SAR 40
- Above 100 mm: SAR 100 plus SAR 50
- Each additional residential unit on the same meter: SAR 20 plus SAR 10
Shops, offices and other non-residential accounts pay a single rate of SAR 8 per m³ for water and SAR 4 for wastewater, with fixed charges from SAR 60 to SAR 225 a month combined. Government buildings pay SAR 10 and SAR 5 per m³, with a fixed SAR 1,000 for water and SAR 500 for wastewater.
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What a typical flat will pay
A small family flat using 30 m³ a month on a standard 20 mm meter would pay about SAR 97.50 a month under the new table. That is SAR 45 for water (15 m³ at SAR 1, then 15 m³ at SAR 2), SAR 22.50 for wastewater and SAR 30 in fixed charges.
Push the same flat to 45 m³, easy in summer with a leaking cistern, and the bill rises to about SAR 187.50. A running toilet now costs real money.
NWC did not publish a comparison with today’s rates or say whether the prices include VAT. These examples use the new table only.
Who is affected
Anyone with a water account, Saudi or expat. How it reaches you depends on your housing.
- Villas and flats with their own meter in your name: the new tiers and fixed charge land on your bill from January.
- Buildings with one meter for several flats: the “each additional unit” charge applies, so landlords and building owners will see a jump, and many expats in older blocks pay water through the landlord.
- Small business owners: the flat SAR 8 rate plus the fixed charge is a new monthly cost for a cafe, salon or laundry.
The royal support measures announced the same day, including SAR 500 a month for government employees, retirees and social security families, are for citizens. Expat households will pay the new rates with no offsetting allowance.
What expats should do now
- Check your meter size and account name. Both are on your NWC bill and in the NWC app. The meter size decides your fixed charge.
- Look at your monthly use. Pull your last few bills and see which tier you fall into in summer, not just winter.
- Fix leaks before January. Cisterns, outdoor taps and water tank overflows are the usual culprits.
- Raise it at renewal if water is in your rent. Agree in writing on your Ejar contract whether the rent changes.
For questions on tariffs or bills, NWC lists its unified number 8004411110, its app and its official website, where the full tariff tables are published.
What has not changed
Nothing changes before 1 January 2027. NWC has not yet said how a bill spanning late December and early January will be split. Saudi Energy’s electricity rise starts the same day, so most homes will feel both together.
Sources: National Water Company tariff announcement of 25 October 2026, as reported by Ajel, Sabq and Maaal; royal support measures via the Saudi Press Agency.