2024-07-31 09:59:37
Starting in August, around 11 million households in Colombia will experience a reduction in their sanitation fees, thanks to the implementation of Resolution 1000 of 2024 of the Commission for the Regulation of Drinking Water and Basic Sanitation (CRA).
This resolution, signed on July 12 and published in the Official Journal, introduces significant relief for citizens.
The core of this measure is the application of the Productivity Factor in tariffs. Ruth Quevedo, executive director of the CRA, explained that this principle is based on passing on to users the increases in productivity and efficiency of companies, which will be directly reflected in the reduction of tariffs.
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Although productivity recognition should have been implemented since 2019, it was not until now that users will see a tangible impact.In 2019, the figure was minimal (0.072%) and in 2020 and 2021, due to the pandemic, no recognition was applied. However, in 2024, the Productivity Factor was set at 2.18, the highest value recorded so far, based on data from 2021 and 2022.
Shared Benefits
The CRA emphasizes that the rate reduction will vary depending on the stratum and location of the users. Commissioner Quevedo stressed that this rule represents a “win-win” since it favors users and motivates companies to be more efficient. Companies will retain 50% of the efficiency recognition, while the other 50% will benefit users through the rate reduction.
In addition to households, territorial entities will also benefit. The reduction in rates will allow a decrease in the resources allocated to subsidies for strata 1, 2 and 3, which will translate into an estimated saving of between 7 and 14 billion pesos annually. This tax relief will allow territorial entities to reallocate these funds to other priority areas.
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