Water Service and Bill Payment in Alanya for Property Owners

Paying utility bills is an important part of maintaining property, and it's especially important to understand how the water supply and billing system works. In Turkey, every homeowner or tenant receives a monthly bill for water consumption. However, the water supply system and tariffs have their own specifics. Let’s take a look at how water supply is organized in Turkey, who is responsible for providing water (particularly in Alanya), how consumption is metered and pricing is calculated, and what foreign property owners should know when arranging water services.

Who is Responsible for Water Supply in Alanya?

In Turkey, water supply and wastewater services are regulated by local municipal companies. In Alanya, this responsibility lies with ASAT, which also handles billing and network maintenance. ASAT has local offices in every district, and this is where contracts are signed, and billing issues are resolved.

How the Water Supply and Heating System Works in Turkey

Water supply in Turkey is centralized — cold water is delivered through the city’s water pipeline system. However, there is no centralized hot water supply even in large cities and tourist centers: each homeowner is responsible for heating water for domestic use. Typically, properties are equipped with electric water heaters (boilers) or instant water heaters.

In Alanya, solar water heaters with rooftop tanks are common. These systems use solar energy to heat water and provide free hot water for most of the year, with electric backup heating used in winter months. Therefore, when buying property in Alanya, the new owner should check the boiler or solar panels and ensure the hot water system is functioning properly.

Water Consumption Metering in Turkey and Alanya

Each house and apartment in Turkey is equipped with water meters that track consumption. Water usage is measured in cubic meters (1 cubic meter = 1,000 liters). In apartment buildings, each unit typically has its own meter, and readings are used to calculate monthly charges. Water company staff either visit monthly or remotely collect meter data to determine how much water was used. Based on this data, the bill is issued. Modern meters are often digital and may transmit data automatically, but in many areas readings are still collected manually or submitted by residents.

There is no separate meter for hot water, since it is heated locally. Costs for hot water are reflected in the electricity bill (if an electric boiler is used), or are free if solar power is used. Therefore, the water bill only includes cold water consumption, which also serves as the basis for calculating sewage charges.

In Turkey, the following scheme is used: the volume of water that enters the property according to the meter is used to calculate sewage charges (Atık Su) in the same amount. Usually, the wastewater fee is set as a percentage or portion of the water tariff.

Payment Control

Water bills must be paid monthly, and late payments are not recommended. If a bill remains unpaid for a long period, the utility company will charge interest for the delay, and if the debt accumulates, water supply may be suspended. ASAT applies penalty interest for overdue payments, and if the bill remains unpaid for around five months, the water supply may be disconnected until the debt is cleared. Short delays are generally tolerated without disconnection, but 15 days after the due date the system may automatically impose restrictions and seal the meter. To avoid inconvenience, it is best to pay bills on time — there are convenient remote payment methods available.

How Water Pricing Is Formed in Turkey: Tariffs and Additional Charges

Water tariffs in Turkey are not standardized nationwide — they are set by local municipal water utilities in each region. However, the pricing structure is similar across the country: a tiered system applies, where the price per cubic meter depends on the volume of usage and the type of subscriber. Rates are lower for residential properties and higher for commercial ones. In addition, a threshold system is in place: the more water you use per month, the higher the cost per next cubic meter, encouraging conservation.

In addition to the base tariff, taxes and fees are also included in the bill. A typical water bill in Turkey includes:

• VAT (KDV)
  
• Wastewater fee (Atık Su)
• Solid waste tax (ÇTV – Katı Atık)

These extra charges usually add about 40–50% to the meter-based cost. The ÇTV (Çevre Temizlik Vergisi) is a fixed monthly fee for waste collection and municipal services — it is usually small and divided across the year. VAT on water is low: 1% for water supply and 8–10% for wastewater services, based on 2025 rates. The Atık Su charge is typically calculated as a percentage of the consumed water (for example, 50%) and covers sewage services. All of these figures are usually included in the final bill issued.

Current Water Tariffs in Alanya for 2025

Antalya (City of Alanya) — drinking water tariffs for residents (2025):

• Up to 5 m³/month: 12.12 TL per m³ (discounted rate)
  
• 6–20 m³/month: 24.82 TL per m³
  
• 21–40 m³/month: 61.02 TL per m³
  
• Over 40 m³/month: 87.19 TL per m³

(Note: rates are listed without VAT; final cost with taxes will be slightly higher, as mentioned above.)

Nevertheless, compared to international standards, utility costs in Turkey are lower than in many European countries, and water represents a small portion of a typical family’s monthly expenses.

How Foreigners Can Register Water Subscription in Alanya

The procedure for connecting water supply for a foreign homeowner in Turkey is nearly the same as for citizens, though there are a few details to consider.

Whose Name Should the Water Account Be Registered Under?

It is recommended that the water bill be registered in the name of the actual property owner (if you have purchased the property) or the main tenant (if you are renting long-term). This provides legal protection: the account holder’s name appears on the bill and that person is responsible for payment. Having your own account also makes it easier to track and pay bills.

Foreign property owners in Turkey can register utility services in their name even without citizenship, but a personal identification number is required — ideally, your residence permit number (ikamet), if you have one. Many service providers also accept foreign passport details, but a passport number is less convenient for long-term registration, as it may change when a new passport is issued.

Documents Required to Register a Water Subscription

To register the water service in your name, you need to prepare a document package and submit an application at an ASAT office or through an authorized representative. The standard list includes:

• Property ownership document — TAPU (title deed) if you purchased the property, or a rental agreement for long-term tenants
  
• Identification document — for foreigners, this is your residence permit (ikamet) or, if not available, your passport (with a copy). Your Turkish tax number is also useful
  
• DASK (earthquake insurance) — a valid compulsory insurance policy against natural disasters. Utility services cannot be connected without it (this is a legal requirement)
  
• İskan (occupancy permit) — a technical document confirming that the building or unit is suitable for habitation. Usually required when connecting services to new properties for the first time. For resale properties that already had services, this may not be needed, but it’s better to have a copy
  
• Authorization of the applicant — if someone other than the owner is handling the process, a notarized power of attorney is required

Once you have all documents, visit the regional ASAT office and fill out a service application. The staff will check your documents, calculate the connection fee, and issue a bill for payment.

How to Re-Register Water Service When Buying or Renting a Property in Alanya

When purchasing a property in Alanya, the new owner must re-register the water meter in their name. After receiving the TAPU and obtaining the mandatory DASK insurance, you should visit the ASAT office to sign a water service contract. The procedure is subject to a one-time fee (around 9000-10000 TL) and a deposit, which is refunded when the contract is terminated.

After signing the contract, the bill will be issued in your name. If the previous owner left any unpaid balance, it must be settled before the re-registration is completed.

For long-term rentals (six months or more), utility bills are also re-registered in the tenant’s name. The landlord and tenant visit the water company office together, present the rental agreement and the tenant’s ID.

The specialists at Luxury Real Estate in Alanya assist clients in preparing all the necessary documents and quickly handling utility registration during the property purchase — you won’t have to deal with bureaucracy or language barriers alone, and the entire process will be completed with our support.

How to Pay a Water Bill in Alanya

There are several ways to pay your water bill in Alanya: directly at an ASAT office (by cash or card), via payment terminals, at a bank branch, or online. The easiest method is internet banking: nearly all Turkish banks allow you to add the bill using the subscriber number and pay automatically from your account or card. Another option is to pay via the official ASAT website or mobile app, or through the government platform e-Devlet.

When purchasing property in Alanya, you can always count on the support of the Luxury Real Estate team: we handle the registration of all utility services at the time of move-in, ensuring our clients' comfort and peace of mind from day one.