Understanding Water Cess Fees: Do They Apply to Groundwater Use Under ISO 14001?

I have a query regarding Water Cess.

We are implementing ISO 14001 for an industry. Is water cess fee applicable only if they consume metro water, or is it applicable also in case the client consumes groundwater? Do the clients have to pay water cess if they consume the water within the prescribed limit given in the consent? Kindly reply with details.

Water bills and sewage charges

In most local bodies and city corporations, water bills include a component of sewage charges in addition to the metered water consumed, along with cess and other levies. Usually, the cess collected goes to the funds of the local bodies responsible for maintaining civic services such as sewage lines, stormwater drains, street/road surface cleaning, providing culverts, and controlling flies, mosquitoes, and stray dogs.

It's possible that a resident or occupier may not consume water from public sources by managing from their own sources, such as a well or borewell. However, minimum charges are still billed, including cess and taxes. In this regard, Acts/rules empowering local bodies may be referred to.