Central Region Water Board
CRWB supplies the towns of the Central Region outside Lilongwe city, such as Dedza, Kasungu, Salima and Mponela. How to pay, buy tokens, check your bill, apply for a connection and report a leak, with the 2026 tariffs.
- Toll free 1996
- No cash at CRWB
- Free home connection policy
Quick answer: CRWB staff do not take cash. Pay your bill at NBS, FDH or Standard Bank, with TNM Mpamba or Airtel Money, or at five rural post offices. Prepaid tokens come from FDH and NBS, at the counter or in their apps. Check your bill, find tokens and report faults in the customer portal, or call toll free 1996 (TNM and Airtel). Bills unpaid for 30 days mean disconnection.
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Pay your CRWB water bill
Bills come monthly. CRWB disconnects any bill left unpaid for 30 days, however small: it counts the days, not the amount.
At a bank
CRWB’s pay points page lists NBS Bank, FDH Bank and Standard Bank, at branches around the country. Its FAQ adds National Bank and automatic bank transfers. CRWB offices do not take cash.
With mobile money
Pay with TNM Mpamba or Airtel Money. Keep the confirmation message as your receipt.
At a post office
In Linthipe, Mitundu, Madisi, Kochilira and Kamwendo you can also pay at the post office.
No bill this month? Call toll free 1996 (TNM and Airtel) or visit a CRWB office for a copy. Not receiving a bill does not stop the 30-day disconnection clock.
Buy prepaid water tokens
CRWB’s prepaid customers buy tokens from two banks.
Buy tokens at FDH Bank or NBS Bank, at the counter or in their mobile apps, with your meter number. Lost a token? The portal’s Tokens page shows the tokens bought for your meter number between two dates you choose (dates as YYYYMMDD).
- Where
- FDH or NBS, counter or app
- You need
- Meter number
- Lost token
- Retrieve online
CRWB customer portal
Three jobs, no login needed for the token page.
Apply for a new water connection
CRWB’s FAQ: visit a CRWB office and customer service guides you through the application. Its connection guide sets out a free connection policy for homes.
Free connection for homes (CRWB’s policy)
From 1 April 2022 the Government started free new water connections for domestic use. Under CRWB’s guide: one free connection a year per applicant, with your National ID; a 15 mm or 20 mm service line; up to 24 metres from the existing line (you pay for anything longer); only inside areas that already have pipes; first come, first served, with a yearly cap. Institutions and businesses pay in full. Ask CRWB if the policy is still running when you apply. No ID yet? See our National ID guide.
Deposit and monthly charges
Even with a free connection you pay a water deposit (MK14,181.14 in traditional housing areas, MK21,272.31 in medium and low density areas) and, every month, a service charge and meter rental (2026 schedule, below).
Report a leak, no water or bad water
CRWB announces planned cuts in advance by public notices, posters and WhatsApp groups.
Call toll free 1996 from TNM or Airtel for leaks, water quality worries and emergencies, use the online fault form (zones Dedza, Kasungu, Salima and Mponela; leak or theft), or visit an office. Discoloured or bad-smelling water: call straight away. CRWB also posts a daily water supply forecast on its website.
- Toll free
- 1996 (TNM, Airtel)
- Head office
- (+265) 1 758 044
- [email protected]
- Address
- Murray Road, off Paul Kagame Highway, Lilongwe
CRWB water tariffs from 7 August 2026
From CRWB’s tariff and service charges schedule (Waterworks by-laws 2026). Water is charged per cubic metre (1,000 litres).
Homes (individual customers): MK4,577.48 for use up to 4 cubic metres a month, then MK1,200 per cubic metre from 4 to 30, and MK1,400 per cubic metre above 30. Communal water points: MK480 per cubic metre.
Monthly service charge: MK757.35 in traditional housing and high density areas, MK2,019.47 in medium and low density areas. Meter rental for homes: MK2,465.58. Businesses and institutions pay higher rates (see the schedule).
- Up to 4 m3 a month
- MK4,577.48
- 4 to 30 m3
- MK1,200 per m3
- Above 30 m3
- MK1,400 per m3
- Reconnection
- MK21,562.20
- Deposit, THA
- MK14,181.14
- Deposit, medium or low density
- MK21,272.31
CRWB pages and documents
Central Region Water Board FAQ
Which areas does CRWB supply?
Urban and town centres in the Central Region outside the City of Lilongwe (Lilongwe city is Lilongwe Water Board). Its fault zones are Dedza, Kasungu, Salima and Mponela.
What is the CRWB toll free number?
1996, from TNM and Airtel lines. The head office is (+265) 1 758 044.
How do I pay my CRWB water bill?
At NBS, FDH or Standard Bank, with TNM Mpamba or Airtel Money, or at the Linthipe, Mitundu, Madisi, Kochilira or Kamwendo post offices. CRWB does not take cash.
Where do I buy CRWB prepaid tokens?
At FDH or NBS Bank, at the counter or in their apps.
Is a new water connection free?
Under CRWB’s published policy, homes get one free connection a year (ID needed, up to 24 m of pipe, inside piped areas). Ask CRWB if it still applies. You still pay a deposit.
What is the reconnection fee?
MK21,562.20 from 7 August 2026, after paying the full bill.
When does CRWB disconnect?
After a bill has been unpaid for 30 days, whatever the amount.
Related guides
Sources: pay points, customer portal, tariff page and tariff schedule (effective 7 August 2026), water connection guide, FAQ, downloads and contact details on crwb.mw. Checked October 2026.
