The idea of introducing the so-called „water meter fee“, or more precisely - a permanent price component for access to the water supply network, has sparked serious public debate. The bill, adopted at first reading, provides for a new model for determining the price of water, which will divide the bill into two components:
► Permanent – for access and maintenance of the service, regardless of whether water is used;
► Variable – for the actual quantities consumed.
The Chairman of the Bulgarian Water Association Ivan Ivanov explained in the studio of „Hello, Bulgaria”, that it is not about a new fee, but about „pricing that would cover the real costs of the water and sewerage operators“. „They have fixed costs – for teams, pressure, purification. Even when water is not used, the system must work so that people can have access to water at any time“, Ivanov explained.
What does the model foresee?
According to the sample calculations, if a water bill is currently 100 BGN, under the new model 20 BGN would be a permanent part (for access), and the remaining 80 BGN - according to actual consumption.
“The burden of the costs will be borne by more subscribers, including the owners of second properties and vacation homes“, Ivanov explained. Thus, those who have villas or houses in small settlements will pay a basic amount, even if they do not use water constantly.
According to the expert, where there is no permanent water supply service, the access fee will not be charged. “If there is no water, there is no service. That is the logic. This part of the bill may be waived for the days and months in which there is no water supply“, Ivanov specified. However, he admitted that the law does not clearly describe a compensation mechanism, which could create tension, especially in regions with a water regime.
Will water become more expensive?
Despite consumers' fears, Ivanov emphasized that the price of a cubic meter of water should be reduced if the permanent component is introduced. “If there is a base price, cubic water can become cheaper by about 20-30%. This is the principle - costs are distributed more evenly“, he pointed out.
The new model will be implemented after the development of a special regulation, which will specify exactly how the permanent component is calculated and applied. For now, the regulation is not yet ready, and this is causing uncertainty among water and sanitation operators, who fear difficulties in collecting payments and incomplete property databases.
The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works is the sponsor of the bill and expects proposals for changes between the first and second reading, including on the issue of compensation for lack of water.
Public reactions
A survey among citizens shows that most do not approve of the new fee, especially against the background of already high prices. “We pay our water meters, we also pay the bills… Why should there be another fee?“, people from Montana ask. Others, however, believe that there should be an access fee because water is a natural resource and the system must be maintained.
The law is not yet final, but the idea of a “water meter fee“ remains. The goal, according to the authors, is more sustainable financing of the water and sanitation sector, but critics say it represents another burden on consumers.