2024-02-17 11:54:10
Two water rates and extra help for people who can’t afford their bills, the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission is proposing. This was announced to BNT by KEVR chairman Ivan Ivanov. Deputies were assured by the department that they can support their proposals and that they be voted on in the National Assembly. What is driving the changes?
Since the beginning of the year, the price of water for households has risen by an average of 15%. In some of the cities, the increase is between 35 and 40 percent. Thus, its price reached between three and six BGN per cube. This is exactly the reason for looking for a way to help people who cannot pay their bills. Apart from KEVR, they believe that it is high time to introduce two water payment tariffs for all users – with a lower price up to three cubic meters per person and a more expensive one above this volume.
The price of water across the country will continue to increase due to the expected investments of the water companies in modernizing their network. And the first higher increases are already a fact.
“Most people save water, and not just water, but also electricity and food, so they can pay their bills.”
“We use a lot of water in the summer because we shower twice a day. We can’t help it, it’s expensive, especially for pensioners like us.”
Now KEVR is proposing to introduce social assistance for people who cannot pay for their water, as well as two tariffs. Up to three cubic meters of water per person, the price should be lower.
“Above this norm, there should be a second higher tariff, with which anyone who wants can water their tomatoes and cucumbers in the garden, can fill their home pool with drinking water, or the jacuzzi, but this is no longer a right absolutely necessary for a person to use water as a universal good for hygiene and household needs,” said Ivan Ivanov.
Both tariffs will be determined by the Commission.
“For the weak social strata, a category similar to energy-vulnerable consumers should be introduced – these should be water-vulnerable consumers,” Ivan Ivanov pointed out.
The ombudsman has been insisting that water aid be paid for a long time. The institution has so far unsuccessfully written letters to the Council of Ministers.
“In the current law on the regulation of water and sanitation services, there is provision for water benefits to be used for the consumption of 2.95 cubic meters of water for persons receiving social benefits. What needs to be done now is to start implementing the law.” pointed out Tsvetanka Ilieva.
From there, they pay special attention to the fact that when two tariffs are developed, it must be specified at what price the total costs in the block will be paid.
“Recently, we had a complaint from Dobrich, the man is on minimum pension and his consumption was four cubic meters for the month, and there was another 5 cubic meters charged for total consumption. In reality, he has to pay nine cubic meters for five leva each, which is 45 leva”, pointed out Tsvetanka Ilieva.
Two of the cities with very high water prices in our country from January 1 are Yambol and Elhovo. There it costs almost five leva per cubic meter.
“At this stage, I don’t have to limit the consumption of water, but it is too expensive for this city,” said Stanislava Ivanova.
“I manage because I have two sons who are not married and they help me, but in general I have sometimes paid 30 BGN without spending that much,” noted Maria Parusheva.
“How to limit yourself from water, is it right, should we not bathe, should we not wash ourselves?, asks Kuncho Baev.
The increases won’t stop there.
“Serious funds are needed to repair the national water transmission system, which was built more than 60-70 years ago,” explained Ivan Ivanov.
There are already water companies that do not carry out their repair programs and suffer penalties.
“During the last regulatory period, we found that 17 water and sanitation operators in the country did not fulfill their investment program, for this reason we reduced the price they asked for,” said Ivan Ivanov.
The proposals of KEVR have to be supported by MPs so that they can be submitted to the parliament.