GVMC Water Tax: Understanding Charges and Payment Options

Key Takeaways
 

• GVMC Water Tax is compulsory for all property owners within its limits.
   
• The charges for services depend on the type of property, its usage, and the size of the pipeline.
   
• The rates vary for residential, commercial, and industrial users, with each category having different pricing structures.
   
• Payments can be made easily through both online and offline modes, offering flexibility and convenience to users.

BONUS: GVMC COMMISSIONER M. HARI NARAYANAN STATED THAT ONLY ABOUT 40% OF VIZAG’S WATER TAX HAS BEEN COLLECTED IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.

GVMC Water Tax is a compulsory charge by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation on property owners for water supply and sewage maintenance.

Let’s say Kiran, a 42-year-old from Visakhapatnam. He owns a 1000 sq. ft. flat and runs a small printing shop below it.

• For his residential flat, Kiran pays ₹2,400/year (that’s just ₹200/month).
   
• For his commercial shop, he pays ₹4,800/year based on usage. Last month, he consumed 30 kilolitres (kL), charged at ₹15/kL = ₹450.

Now, his cousin Suma, working in a textile factory, pays ₹18,000+ annually under the industrial slab.

Kiran pays online through the GVMC portal in minutes, no queues, no fuss!
Isn’t it interesting how usage, property type, and pipeline size all affect your bill?

This guide walks you through GVMC water tax types, rates, calculations, and payment steps, all explained simply.

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What Is GVMC Water Tax?

Let’s say Ramesh, a 40-year-old shop owner in Visakhapatnam. He has a two-storey building, his shop is on the ground floor, and he lives upstairs. Every year, he gets a water tax bill of ₹3,600 from GVMC. 

Ramesh was confused at first because he didn’t use much water in his shop. But later, he learned that all property owners must pay water tax, even if they use less water. 

The tax helps maintain water pipes and sewage lines. Now, Ramesh pays ₹900 every 3 months online to save time.

To understand why GVMC Water Tax exists, here are its key highlights:
 

• Why It Exists: To fund water supply and sanitation maintenance.
   
• Who Pays It: All property owners under GVMC jurisdiction.
   
• How It’s Calculated: Based on property size, type, and usage.
   
• Payment Modes: Online (GVMC website), MeeSeva centres, or bank counters.

This ensures everyone contributes fairly to keeping Visakhapatnam’s water supply safe and functional.

Here is a Sample GVMC Water Tax Table:
 

Ramesh’s story is a common one. Understanding the water tax helps residents contribute to a cleaner, better Visakhapatnam.

What are the Types of Water Connections under GVMC?

Let’s say Lakshmi, a 38-year-old from Visakhapatnam. She lives in a house and runs a tailoring shop next door. She has two GVMC water connections, residential for her home (₹2,400/year) and commercial for her shop (₹3,600/year). 

Her cousin Ravi, who works in a textile factory in Hyderabad, told her that their industrial connection costs over ₹15,000 yearly due to high water use. 

Lakshmi then understood that GVMC offers different types of water connections, residential, commercial, and industrial, based on how much water is needed and what it's used for.

Key Points:

The GVMC classifies water connections into:
 

• Residential Connection: For individual homes and apartments.
   
• Commercial Connection: For shops, offices, or businesses.
   
• Industrial Connection: For factories or plants with heavy water usage.

Sample GVMC Water Connection Table:

Here is a quick look at the types of GVMC water connections:
 

The type of connection decides your tax rate, ensuring fairness between low and high-usage properties.

Also Read - Why Do Indians Pay So Much Direct Taxes?

What are the GVMC Water Tax Rates?

To understand GVMC water tax rates better, let’s look at a real-life example.

Let’s say Arun, a 45-year-old who lives in a 2BHK flat in Visakhapatnam and runs a café nearby. His home has a residential GVMC water connection, and his cafe has a commercial connection. Arun pays:

• ₹2,400 per year for his home water use
   
• ₹4,800 per year for the café

Arun visited his cousin Suresh, who owns a textile unit with an industrial water connection and pays over ₹18,000 annually in GVMC water tax. 

Arun realised that GVMC charges vary, homes pay less, while commercial and industrial users pay more due to higher water consumption and pressure on the city's infrastructure.

Here is a table for GVMC Water Tax Rates Table:

This tiered system ensures fairness and supports the city’s efforts to maintain and upgrade its water infrastructure effectively.

How GVMC Water Tax Calculated?

Let’s say Srinivas, a 50-year-old retired teacher in Visakhapatnam. He owns a small house with a residential unmetered water connection. Every month, he pays a fixed charge of ₹200, which totals to ₹2,400 annually. His pipeline is ½ inch in diameter, suitable for a small household.

Next door, his neighbour Anil runs a printing shop with a commercial metered connection. His monthly bill depends on how much water he uses. Last month, he consumed 25 kilolitres (kL) of water and was charged ₹15 per kL, resulting in a total water tax of ₹375 for that month alone.

Srinivas also has a cousin who works at a defence canteen with a bulk supply connection, which is charged at a special rate set by GVMC.

Srinivas now understands that the GVMC water tax isn't a flat fee; it depends on connection type, water usage, and pipeline size.

Key Factors in Water Tax Calculation:

The main factors that decide your bill are:
 

• Connection Type: Residential, Commercial, Industrial, or Bulk.
   
• Meter Type: Metered (usage-based) or Unmetered (fixed).
   
• Pipeline Size: Bigger lines attract higher charges.
   
• Special Charges: Like Water Benefit Tax, even if water isn’t used.

By being aware of these key elements, you can better understand your water bill and manage your utility expenses more effectively.

Sample GVMC Water Tax Calculation Table:

Here’s how GVMC calculates water charges:
 

GVMC uses a mix of fixed and usage-based charges to make billing fair and practical.

How to Pay the GVMC Water Tax?

Paying is simple, either log in to the GVMC portal or visit a ward office:

Online Payment Process:

Paying your water tax online through the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) website is simple and convenient. Follow these steps to complete the process smoothly:
 

1. Go to the GVMC Official Website: Open the official Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation website.
    
2. Login or Register: New users must register using their mobile number or email; existing users can log in with their credentials.
    
3. Access the Water Tax Section: Click on the “Water Tax Payment” or “Online Payment” option on the homepage.
    
4. Enter Property/Connection Details: Provide your Property ID, Consumer Number, or Connection Number as required.
    
5.  

By following these steps, you can pay your water tax quickly and securely without the need to visit the office in person.

Offline Payment Process:
 

1. Visit your nearest GVMC Ward Office.
    
2. Provide your Consumer ID or Water Connection Number.
    
3. Pay the amount via cash, cheque, or demand draft.
    
4. Collect the official payment receipt.

With digital options, paying GVMC water tax has become quicker, easier, and more transparent.

Conclusion

GVMC Water Tax is important for every property owner in Visakhapatnam. Whether you’re like Kiran, paying for your home and shop, or like Ramesh, unsure why you're charged, it helps maintain clean water and good pipelines. 

The amount you pay depends on your property type, water use, and connection size. You can pay online or at your local office. It’s easy and helpful. Let’s stay informed and do our part because clean water begins with us.

FAQs:

Q: Who is the current Chief City Planner of GVMC?

 Venkata Ratnam has been appointed as the Chief City Planner of GVMC, replacing GV Raghu.

Q: How many wards are there in GVMC?

GVMC comprises 98 wards as of 2024, with an updated ward map reflecting these divisions.

Q: What is the population of GVMC?
As of 2025, GVMC has an estimated population of approximately 2.44 million people.

Q: Who is the new Commissioner of GVMC Vizag?
A: P. Sampath Kumar, a 2016 batch IAS officer, was appointed as the GVMC Commissioner in July 2024.