Water tax in Salt Lake will be a reality only after water meters are installed in all commercial and residential buildings of the satellite township. A decision in this regard was taken at the board-of-councillors meeting of the Bidhannagar Municipality, today. This comes as a deviation from the municipality's previous decision where it was supposed to collect water tax from residential houses on the basis of property tax rates. Ferrule size was the determinant for commercial buildings until water meters are installed. However, the officials later felt that installing meters first and then charging water tax was a much viable and scientific option. Moreover, chances of a dispute would be reduced if water tax is charged after installing water meters. "Water meters will soon be installed in both residential and commercial buildings and based on the consumption levels water tax would be charged. Talks are on to determine when these meters could be installed,' chairman-in-council (water) Mr Tapan Talukdar, said. Interestingly, the civic body had also planned to install water meters during the previous board's tenure under the chairmanship of Mr Dilip Gupta but plans had not materialised then, an official said.