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Around BD200 million is still owed to the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) in unpaid bills.
This was revealed by Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Wael Al Mubarak, who said power supply is cut for errant subscribers only after repeated warnings.
“The EWA is owed a total of BD198.37m until October this year,” he said.
“The power and water arrears include first home account, multiple domestic accounts and other non-residential ones.”
Mr Al Mubarak made the remarks in response to a query by MP Ghazi Al Rahma.
He said the EWA had the legal right to cut power and water supply of errant customers. However, citizens and residents are alerted about their outstanding dues, and given ample time to pay arrears in instalments, before the service is disconnected.
“EWA has put in place several procedures before disconnecting the supply, which is the last option,” Mr Al Mubarak said.
“While bills are issued every month, those who fail to pay receive a reminder, which is repeated if the arrears exceed the insurance amount.
“After several warnings, the subscriber is issued a Final Notice of Service Interruption with a deadline of 21 days for payment.
“A text message as well as a registered mail is sent two weeks ahead of the deadline.
“A warning notice is also placed on the subscriber’s property, giving him/her a three-day ultimatum to foot the bills.
“Only after all options are given does the EWA cut the service for the subscriber,” he said.
A lawsuit is then filed with the courts to collect the arrears.
The minister clarified that the first account of Bahraini nationals is never closed permanently in case of non-payment.
According to official records, the overall number of Bahraini first home accounts has topped 146,000 until date.
Mr Al Mubarak said only two Bahraini accounts have been cut during the last few years as the value of arrears owed by each of them exceeded BD4,000.
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