Types of property utilities in Bali
This guide explains everything about the most crucial property utilities in Bali:
- Tap water
- Electricity
- Gas
- Internet
- Cable TV
- Waste disposal
- Community contributions
1. Tap water
Are you building a new villa in Bali? Then, you have to connect your home to the local water system. Most of the time, your constructor takes care of this. You must still contact the local or private water supplier to receive tap water in your home. Perumda Daerah Air Minum (PDAM) Tirta Sewakadarma is Bali’s local water utility provider.
PDAM Tirta Sewakadarma is a state-owned company that offers services such as installing water meters, repairing water pipes, providing water, and handling water bills. You can open an account at the water supplier by providing identification and proof of residence and have to pay a deposit and installation fee. Property owners can do this at their office in Denpasar (location).
Can you drink tap water in Bali?
It is better not to drink tap water in Bali, as the quality of the water is terrible due to contamination from pollutants, bacteria, and other microorganisms. The water is suitable for washing dishes, laundry, and cleaning your villa. It is better to boil the water first and kill harmful bacteria or viruses if you want to use it for cleaning food.
Bottled water in Bali is safe to drink and is sold at every store.
How much does the house water bill in Bali cost?
The tap water bill in Bali costs about IDR 100,000 ($6.50) per month, depending on the water usage.
2. Electricity for your villa in Bali
Due to long waiting lists, getting electricity to a newly built home in Bali can be complicated. Connecting your villa to the power network can take over a year. Once connected, electricity bills are typically paid monthly between the 6th and 20th. Property owners can pay their bills at local banks, shops, and supermarkets.
Most new-built homes in Bali have a pre-paid meter (MPB) installed, making it easier to receive power. The pre-paid meter allows property owners to pay for electricity using vouchers or pre-paid cards. A beep will sound when the pre-paid credit is close to depletion, indicating the need for a recharge.
The vouchers or pre-paid cards can be bought from various shops and supermarkets and come with a unique 20-digit number that needs to be entered into the pre-paid meter keypad to recharge the electricity supply.
Receive electricity in Bali in 4 steps (pre-paid plan)
- Buy a pre-paid electricity voucher from an authorized vendor. Most supermarkets and minimarkets in Bali sell these vouchers, such as Indomaret, Alfamart, Minimart, and Circle K. You can also buy a voucher code online through various e-commerce applications such as Shopee, Tokopedia, Gojek, and Grab.
- Enter the 20-digit code in the keypad of your pre-paid meter.
- The meter will automatically add the value of the voucher to your electricity credit balance, allowing you to use electricity as needed.
- You can now use your electricity. As you use electricity, your credit balance will start to decrease. Once it runs low, the pre-paid meter will warn you with a beeping. You then purchase a new voucher and enter the code in the keypad to add more credit to your balance.
Remember that the electricity in Bali operates on 220-volt AC and 50 Hz cycle power, which is different from the 110 volts used in most Western countries. If you’re from a country that uses 110 volts, you may need a transformer and plug adapter to charge your electric devices on the Indonesian power network.
How much does electricity in Bali cost?
The price of electricity in Bali is IDR 1,445 ($0.09) per kWh for households. For example, the average electricity bill for a 2-3-bedroom villa in Bali costs between IDR 1.5 million ($97.50) and IDR 2.5 million ($163) monthly.
3. Gas
Most areas of Bali have no gas pipelines, meaning most properties rely on propane gas cylinders for cooking and heating. These cylinders come in different sizes and can be bought at several stores, such as gas stations and supermarkets (also local minimarkets). You only have to drive for 5 minutes on your motorbike to find a store that sells gas cylinders.
Gas stations and authorized dealers allow you to switch empty cylinders for full cylinders. Are you not always at your villa? You can ask your maid or housekeeping to check the gas tanks regularly and change them for full ones once they are empty.
How much does gas in Bali cost?
The average cost of gas in Bali is around IDR 12,600 ($0.82) per 1 liter (1/4 gallon).
4. Internet
Having reliable and fast internet in your villa is crucial, especially for people who work remotely, such as digital nomads. This means villa owners in Bali must ensure the property has a high-speed internet connection to attract and retain renters.
Internet connectivity in Bali is steadily improving, and several providers are off Fiber Optic connections. Companies such as CBN, Neuviz, and GlobalXtreme make signing up for their services easy by providing online registration options on their websites.
How much does home internet in Bali cost?
Internet providers offer internet services for an average monthly price of IDR 1 million ($65).
5. Cable TV
Cable TV can still hold value for your villa, even though streaming services are gaining popularity. You can find several cable TV providers in Indonesia, such as IndiHome by Telkom Indonesia, First Media, Transvision, MNC Play, and K-Vision. These companies provide various packages to watch documentaries, movies, sports matches, and series. You can open an account on the website of these TV providers.
How much does cable TV in Bali cost?
Cable TV costs depend on the provider and package, mainly varying between IDR 100,000 ($6.50) and IDR 460,000 ($29.90) monthly.
6. Waste disposal in Bali
There are multiple ways of waste disposal in Bali. All areas in Bali have organized waste pickups operated by the local Banjar (local neighborhood community). In many cases, the collected waste ends up in illegal dump sites across the island, which can lead to environmental pollution.
We advise using a private waste disposal company that prioritizes waste separation and recycling. Doing so can help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or illegal dump sites.
Eco Bali Recycling is a company that collects, separates, and recycles waste in an environmentally friendly way. You can request their waste collection service on their website.
How much does waste disposal in Bali cost?
The price of waste collection and disposal of Eco Bali Recycling starts from IDR 115,000 ($7.48) per month, depending on the required bin size and collection frequency.
7. Community contributions
Community relations are highly valued and play a significant role in daily life in Bali. People who own property in Bali must contribute to the local community, known as the Banjar. The Banjar is an important organization within the district, responsible for maintaining security and order in the community. They also play an active role in organizing social and religious events within the community.
Contributing to the Banjar through financial contributions or participation in community activities is a way to show respect for local culture and traditions. This makes it easier to integrate into the community and build positive relationships.
How much are community contributions in Bali?
The size of the community’s contribution depends on the region. You can expect to pay an average donation of IDR 100,000 ($6.50) to IDR 300,000 ($19.50) monthly.
Conclusion
Managing and receiving utilities for your property in Bali has never been so easy because of this article. You now know how to receive electricity and tap water in your villa and where to buy gas cylinders for cooking and heating. This article also explained how to get a stable internet connection and cable TV in your villa and dispose of waste in an environmentally friendly way.
Valuable insights and practical advice, distilled from years of expertise and real-world experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I pay for electricity in Bali?
You pay for electricity in Bali by buying a voucher in a local supermarket or e-commerce platform. Enter the code on the coupon in the keypad of your pre-paid meter at your villa to top up your electricity credits.
How much does electricity cost in Bali?
Electricity in Bali costs an average of IDR 1,445 ($0.09) per kWh for households.
How can I get internet in Bali?
You can get internet in your villa in Bali by opening an account at an internet service provider, such as CBN, Neuviz, or GlobalXtreme.
