After analysing the documentation published by Manilva Town Hall on the future drinking water and sewerage by-laws, this outlet has compared the rates in force since 2014 with the new model that the local authority intends to introduce shortly.
The texts, currently at the preliminary public consultation stage, not only update the prices for water supply and sewerage, but also introduce far-reaching changes to the legal, economic and control structure of the municipal water service.
Although the Town Hall presents the reform as a regulatory and organisational adaptation of the system, the analysis of the economic tables shows increases in most items, especially for high consumption and fixed charges.
A new model for water in Manilva
The future by-law will replace the old municipal charges with a system called “non-tax public equity payment”, a legal formula that reinforces the concession model of the service and adapts its management to current national legislation.
The new text regulates water and sewerage charges, connections, reconnections, changes of account holder, deposits, leaks, social discounts and coordination between the concession holder and the Town Hall.
In addition, registering for the water supply will automatically mean registering for the sewerage rates linked to it.
The fixed charge will rise by more than 70%
One of the most visible changes affects the fixed water charge for standard homes.
Currently, a typical 15 mm household meter pays €1.91 a month; under the new system it will pay €3.36 a month, an increase of close to 75% in the fixed part of the bill.
How will it really affect an average home?
To better understand the impact, this outlet has carried out an approximate simulation based on a family home with average consumption of:
- 12 cubic metres a month
- (24 m³ per two-monthly bill).
- Approximate bill under the current system (2014)
Taking into account:
- fixed charge,
- consumption,
- desalination surcharge,
- fixed and variable sewerage,
the bill would currently be around: between €36 and €38 every two months (before tax).
Estimated bill under the new system
Under the new rates proposed by the Town Hall, the desalination surcharge disappears, but the fixed charge, several consumption bands and sewerage all increase.
According to this outlet’s calculations, the same home could pay between €43 and €45 every two months (before tax), which will mean a moderate increase for normal consumption, but a much larger one for high consumption.
The biggest increase is seen in homes with high consumption, such as those with a swimming pool or garden…
Practical example: home with a pool and high consumption
Taking as an example a home with consumption of approximately 35 cubic metres a month (70 m³ per two-monthly bill), the current bill would be roughly between €105 and €110 every two months (before tax).
Under the new rate model, the bill for this type of home could rise to €140 or €150 every two months (before tax).
The top water band rises by more than 50%
The main difference is in the highest consumption band. Currently, the top band is charged at €1.001/m³ and the new by-law proposes a cost of €1.507/m³, which represents an increase of more than 50% for the highest consumption.
New charges for changes of account holder and reconnections
The new document also includes items that are much more developed than in the rates in force since 2014.
Among them are new items that will carry a charge, such as changes of account holder, reconnections and new compulsory deposits.
For example: changing the holder of a water contract will cost €26.41 for normal homes and reconnecting a suspended supply will cost €27.95.
In addition, the concession holder may require deposits of close to €60 for standard household contracts.
Greater control over leaks and connections
The future regulations also significantly tighten the requirements for applying reductions for accidental leaks.
The user will have to prove the repair, submit invoices, show that the leak was hidden and meet a long list of technical and administrative conditions.
Likewise, the text strengthens control over connections to the municipal network, establishing that no work may be carried out without the express authorisation of the supplier.
Social fund for vulnerable families
The by-law also includes a social fund for households facing financial difficulties.
Among the requirements planned for obtaining it, applicants must have at least two years of municipal registration (padrón), income below twice the IPREM, be the contract holder and be up to date with payments.
The aid could cover up to four bills.
The new by-laws have not yet been given final approval and are at the public consultation stage, during which residents, businesses and groups may submit comments and contributions before final approval.
What the published documents already show is a far-reaching change in the water and sewerage management model in Manilva, with a more complex rate structure, stronger control mechanisms and a particularly significant increase in cost for the highest consumption.
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