The price of water has risen on average by 3.2% in 2014

OCU has conducted a study in 54 Spanish cities to compare the price of water. We reviewed the rates and charges associated with the consumption of water, whether included in the water bill or collected separately. The result is that there are large differences in the price of water between cities of more than 350 € per year. The study is published in the March edition of OCU Compra Maestra magazine.

The year 2014 has begun with water price rises in six out of ten cities. This is not the first year that the price increases per m3. In the past five years, the water bill has increased by 25.5% for different reasons including new regional fees, increase in VAT ... In addition, understanding the  bill is not an easy task because each city employs its own system for invoicing.
OCU believes that the price differences found cannot be justified. The most significant example is in Murcia where a family with an annual consumption of 175 m3 pays € 501 per year while in Palencia it would pay € 145 a year for the same consumption. Supply difficulties suffered in some areas of Spain partially explain these important differences. However, the study shows that large differences in the rates that apply in each town, are also reproduced in the part of the bill for the treatment of water, where the location of the town should have no influence.

Furthermore, differences between cities increase as consumption increases; up to 440%. A household in Barcelona that uses 300m3 would pay € 1,393 a year while for the same consumption in Guadalajara it would pay € 258 per year.
Most cities have opted to choose a system of increasing block tariffs. If the blocks are well designed, waste is avoided and saving encouraged. However this system penalises larger households. This is solved in Sevilla and Malaga where the blocks are customised according to the number of members in the household. Other cities are already considering special rates for example for families with three or more children.
OCU has found that some cities do not encourage saving. Vigo is the city that most encourages waste by invoicing its inhabitants for 180 m3 whether or not this is consumed. Soria and Orense also apply a high minimum consumption. As for positive elements, some cities such as Santander and Valladolid have scrapped such minimum consumption rates.

OCU has submitted this data to the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces.
Despite the disparity and arbitrariness of the blocks and the high fixed costs that are often ineffective in encouraging savings, OCU provides some guidelines to consumers for saving water and greatly reducing your bill:

1 Change your taps for flow reducers or thermostatic taps or install saving devices with limiters or flow switches on older taps.
2 Shower instead of taking a bath. If possible attach a shower head that releases less water.
3 Place a flush limiter in the toilet if the tank is old and does not have dual flush buttons.

4. Don’t put on the dishwasher or washing machine if they are not full.
5. In houses with gardens, plant native vegetation and install a drip irrigation system.
6. Check if there is any sort of bonus for your water bill in the town where you live for low incomes, large families, senior citizens, etc.

For more information (media) Eva Jimenez Tel:   917 226 061
prensa@ocu.org