Summary:
Residents in Amarante pay five times more for water than those in Foz Côa.
Annual water bill differences can reach up to €600 between municipalities.
Deco reports significant disparities in water tariffs without valid justifications.
The ERSAR indicates that some water services are financially unsustainable.
New regulations in 2026 will enhance tariff regulation by ERSAR.
Significant Water Bill Discrepancies
A Deco study reveals that a resident in Amarante paying for an annual water consumption of 120 cubic meters incurs a bill five times higher than a resident in Vila Nova de Foz Côa with the same consumption. For 180 cubic meters, the difference can escalate to €600.
The analysis highlights "significant disparities" in water tariffs across Portuguese municipalities, with no valid justifications for such differences. In 2023, the maximum discrepancy was €376, indicating a worsening situation this year.
Breakdown of Costs
Consumers not only pay for water supply but also for sanitation services and waste collection in their water bills. For instance, in Amarante, a resident pays €494.47 annually for 10 cubic meters per month, while in Foz Côa, the cost is just €94.09. This stark contrast is partly due to Foz Côa's council not charging for sanitation services.
Highest and Lowest Tariffs
For an annual consumption of 120 cubic meters, the municipalities with the highest charges include:
- Amarante: €494.47
- Oliveira de Azeméis: €491.94
- Ovar: €477.81
- Albergaria-a-Velha: €477.15
- Baião: €476.24
Conversely, the lowest charges are found in:
- Foz Côa: €94.09
- Castro Daire: €108
- Terras de Bouro: €108.38
For 180 cubic meters, the highest bills are in Fundão (€776.74) and Oliveira de Azeméis (€718.94), while the lowest remains in Foz Côa (€125.92).
Factors Influencing Prices
The study points out that population density and geographical factors contribute to price differences, but Deco asserts that these do not entirely explain the disparities. Few municipalities offer family-adapted tariffs, exacerbating inequalities.
The ERSAR (Regulatory Authority for Water and Waste Services) notes that prices should cover operational costs, yet some services remain financially unsustainable.
Upcoming Changes
Starting in 2026, a new decree-law will restore ERSAR's power to directly regulate municipal water tariffs. This aims to enable tariff harmonization, which has been lacking since the previous regulations were altered in 2021.
Mariana Ludovino from Deco expresses optimism that this will facilitate fairer water pricing in the near future.
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