By The Big Buy desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
Households pay S$3.24 per cubic metre of water before GST for the first 40 cubic metres each month, and S$4.39 for every cubic metre above that. Each price has three parts: the water tariff, a water conservation tax that reflects water’s scarcity, and a waterborne fee that pays for treating used water. These prices took effect on 1 April 2025, after a two-step increase. Water appears on the same monthly SP Services bill as electricity and gas.
Quick facts
- First 40m³ a month: S$3.24 per m³ before GST.
- Above 40m³: S$4.39 per m³ before GST.
- With 9% GST: about S$3.53 and S$4.79.
- Three parts: tariff, conservation tax and waterborne fee.
- The price rose 50 cents per m³ over 2024 and 2025.
- SP Services bills water for PUB.
What’s in the price?
| Per m³, before GST | First 40m³ | Above 40m³ |
|---|---|---|
| Water tariff | S$1.43 | S$1.81 |
| Water conservation tax | S$0.72 | S$1.18 |
| Waterborne fee | S$1.09 | S$1.40 |
| Total | S$3.24 | S$4.39 |
What does each part pay for?
- Water tariff: the cost of producing and supplying water.
- Water conservation tax: introduced in 1991 to encourage saving water and reflect its scarcity. It’s charged as a percentage of the tariff: 50 per cent for households using up to 40m³, and more above that.
- Waterborne fee: pays for collecting and treating used water and maintaining the sewer network.
How does a bill add up?
A household using 15m³ in a month pays 15 × S$3.24, which is S$48.60 before GST, or about S$53 with it. Use more than 40m³ and every extra cubic metre costs around 35 per cent more.
Why did the price go up?
To cover the rising cost of producing and supplying water. The increase came in two steps: 20 cents per m³ from 1 April 2024 and 30 cents from 1 April 2025. PUB said three in four households would see their bills rise by less than S$10 a month before government support.
The WahLiao Verdict
Stay under 40m³ a month and you avoid the higher tier altogether. Three-tick water-efficient taps and shower fittings help, and Climate Vouchers can pay for them.
Questions people ask
Why is my water on the SP bill?
SP Services is PUB’s billing agent, so water, electricity and gas come on one bill.
Do U-Save rebates cover water?
Yes. U-Save is credited to your utilities account and offsets water, electricity and gas charges.
Is the conservation tax a penalty?
No. Everyone pays it, from the first drop; heavier users pay a higher rate.
How much water does a household use?
Your bill shows your monthly use in cubic metres; compare it with previous months to spot leaks.
Sources: PUB, water price revision and price table; PUB, water price components; Dollars and Sense on understanding the water bill. The 15m³ example and GST-inclusive prices are the desk’s own arithmetic.
Read next: Your Electricity Bill · Back to The Big Buy
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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