Penang consumers will suffer a double blow on Apr 1 with water tariff hikes in the state coinciding with the introduction of goods and services tax nationwide.

The state announced the hike last year and today reminded consumers it is forced to do so to avoid rationing, since water consumption remains high.

The tariff hike will see water bills go up by up to 30.77 percent but domestic users who use below 20,000 litres a month are spared, Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBA) said.

In ringgit terms, this means that a hike of 80 sen or as high as RM54 a month for those who use up to 200,000 litres of water a month.

Penang consumers use an average 293 litres per person per day - the highest in the country.

But PBA chief executive Jaseni Maidinsa said about half of domestic users will not be affected by the hike.

“The message is simple. To prevent water rationing use less water and pay less. If you continue to use too much water, be prepared to pay more,” PBA chief executive officer Jaseni Maidinsa said in a statement today.

The statement comes as the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) announced hikes of up to 30 percent for express bus and taxi fares, while KTM Komunter fares go up by 20 percent starting May 1.

Jaseni said Penang water for the first 35,000 litres of consumption is still the cheapest in Malaysia at 32 sen per 1,000 litres despite the hike.

This is a third of Johor’s tariff of RM1.05 per 1,000 litres.

"Think of our future and please use water wisely," he said.