Starting May 1, 2025, the Goa government has officially ended its zero bill scheme, which had been in place since August 2021.
The Goa government had introduced a policy called the “zero bill scheme” in August 2021. Under this scheme, households that used less than 16,000 litres (16 cubic metres) of water per month did not have to pay any water bill, their water was free. This benefit helped nearly half (about 48%) of all families in Goa, making it easier for them to manage their monthly expenses.
However, from May 1, 2025, the government has discontinued this scheme. Now, even if a household uses less than 16,000 litres of water in a month, they will still receive a bill and must pay for their water usage. The free water benefit no longer exists for anyone.
This change means that every household in Goa will now have to pay for all the water they use, regardless of how much or how little. The decision may have been made due to financial reasons or to encourage more responsible water use, but it is expected to increase the monthly expenses for many families who previously benefited from free water.