Abhinav RajputNew Delhi: Getting a new water connection in Delhi is set to become easier with Delhi Jal Board (DJB) approving a set of rules for water and sewer connections.The new regulations will simplify the process of getting connections as well as regularising unauthorised connections.The Delhi Water and Sewer (Tariff and Metering) Regulations, 2026, will replace the 2012 regulations.Under the new rules, dwelling units or non-domestic units can get a separate water connection, irrespective of the height of the building, provided it is technically feasible and the prescribed conditions are met. For buildings below 17.5 metres, adequate water storage arrangements will be mandatory.The change is likely to benefit tenants living in separate flats, who could get individual water connections instead of depending on a common connection. Under the 2012 rules, a residential building could have a maximum of six water connections. The new regulations allow more than six flats in a building to get individual connections if some conditions are fulfilled. One of the conditions is that each dwelling unit must have a kitchen.At present, a new water connection can take around 40 to 50 days, according to DJB. After an application is submitted, a junior engineer conducts a site inspection within seven to 15 days. A demand note is then issued within three to five days, while activation of the connection can take another 15 to 30 days after payment.Under the new system being developed by DJB, approval will be given first and the site inspection follows. This is expected to speed up the process of issuing connections.The new metering rules also provide for reducing the number of documents required for an application. According to officials, three documents will be sufficient, with Aadhaar or PAN proposed as key identity documents.Officials said there is no proposal to change the existing water tariff, connection charges or application fee under the new rules.The regulations also clarify billing provisions for faulty, non-functional or inaccessible meters. Provisions related to tanker water supply and the use of treated or reclaimed water have also been organised under the new framework.The new rules provide for rebates for households adopting rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling. They also seek to promote digital services and online complaints and service requests through the DJB portal.