SLEWRC Orders Grafton Water to Revert Unauthorized Price Increase
Deborah Sorie The Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission has ordered Grafton Bottled Water Company to immediately stop charging unauthorised prices of NLe 50 for retail and NLe 47 for wholesale.
In a public notice issued on 25 May 2026, the Commission said the company unilaterally increased its prices without applying for or receiving any approval from the regulator.
The Commission stated that under the Reviewed SLEWRC Act of 2025, it holds exclusive authority to set and approve all water tariffs in the country. No price change may be applied without prior written approval.
Grafton Bottled Water has been directed to revert to the last approved tariff schedule, withdraw all public communications advertising the new prices, and appear before the Commission within 14 working days to account for the violation.
All distributors and retailers have been ordered to stop selling the product at the unauthorised prices. The public has been advised not to pay the stated amounts and to report any violations.
The Commission warned that failure to comply could result in suspension or revocation of the company’s operating licence, financial penalties, prosecution, or public naming in the national press.
